The Impact of Ingrown Toenails on Your Overall Foot Health

Michigan Feet, serving Center Line, Royal Oak, and Warren, MI, and the surrounding regions, is home to Dr. Lawrence Brown, Dr. David Beneson, and Dr. Paul Constantino, who offer treatment for ingrown toenails. While these don't sound like anything serious, they can cause pain and affect your overall foot health. Here's how:

Definition of an Ingrown Toenail 

 An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner of a nail grows into the side of the skin on your toe.

This problem may occur from improper trimming habits, particularly rounding the edges or cutting them too short. If you're not keeping your feet clean and making sure you're drying them completely after you exit any type of water, you're increasing your risk of this foot health problem. 

Some people are more prone to this issue at birth because of the rounded shape of their toenails, while an injury or wearing tight footwear could also lead to an ingrown toenail.

Possibility of Cause Infection 

 You may need to see our podiatrists, serving Center Line, Royal Oak, and Warren, MI, and the nearby regions, if your ingrown toenail becomes infected, which is possible if it's not treated properly. 

That infection can cause pain, tenderness, pus/drainage, swelling, redness, or a foul odor. 

To correct the problem and restore good feet health, we may need to prescribe an antibiotic, provide debridement to clean out the infected area, or partially or fully remove the nail.

Complications for Those with Chronic Conditions 

 If you have diabetes or an autoimmune disorder, you have a greater likelihood of developing an infection. You'll also have more difficulty clearing the infection. In fact, even a minor infection can turn into a serious concern. The infection might take longer to heal in someone with a chronic condition.

If a diabetic or someone with a circulatory problem develops an infection in an ingrown toenail, it could result in necrosis (tissue death) in the most severe of cases. 

Pain and Discomfort 

 An ingrown toenail can be painful and make it difficult for you to wear shoes. You may have trouble getting through your day because of discomfort. 

You may even change the way you walk to compensate, which can stress other parts of your foot your ankle, knee, hip, or back.

Michigan Feet, serving Center Line, Royal Oak, and Warren, MI, can treat ingrown toenails early or once complications set in. However, we can't stress enough to take care of your feet to prevent ingrown toenails. 

Call: 

Center Line - 586-758-5770

Royal Oak - 248-435-4777