How your podiatrists in Bozeman, MT, can help when you have an ingrown toenail.
Ingrown toenails are both ugly and painful. They can make it difficult to put on shoes and walk around. Fortunately, you can do a lot to prevent ingrown toenails, and if you develop an ingrown toenail, your podiatrist can help your toe heal.
Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Bozeman, MT, offer a wide range of podiatry services, including treatment of ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails can be caused by:
- Cutting your toenails too short
- Having toenails that naturally curl under
- Wearing shoes that are too narrow and crush your toes together
- Experiencing an injury to your toes or toenails
- Having a fungal or bacterial infection underneath your toenail
You will know you have an ingrown toenail if your toe is:
- Swollen and painful
- Red or purple and looking bruised
- Developing blood or pus underneath the nail
There are several ways to prevent an ingrown toenail. Remember to:
- Avoid cutting your toenails too short
- Always cut your toenails straight across, with no rounded corners
- Wear shoes with plenty of room for your toes
Home remedies can give you some relief from an ingrown toenail. You can try:
- Soaking your toe in warm water daily
- Placing a piece of dental floss under your toenail to help the toenail grow away from your skin
- Wearing sandals or open-toed shoes until your toe heals
If home remedies don’t help and your ingrown toenail is getting worse, you need to visit your podiatrist. Professional treatments for an ingrown toenail include:
- Using oral and topical antibiotic cream to eliminate infection
- Removing the ingrown part of your toenail
- Removing the entire toenail so a healthy toenail can grow
To find out more about the causes and treatment of ingrown toenails, call Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Bozeman, MT. You can reach them in the office by calling (406) 782-2278, so call now.