How to Prevent and Treat Ingrown Toenails

If you're dealing with a painful, red, or swollen toe, you may have an ingrown toenail. This common condition occurs when the edge of your nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain and inflammation.

Ingrown toenails affect 2.5%-5% of the global population and comprise nearly 20% of all foot-related primary care visits. 

At Metropolitan Foot and Ankle Specialists in Aurora, Colorado, we know how a small foot issue can quickly disrupt your entire day. Our team of board-certified podiatrists provides expert care for patients experiencing a variety of foot and ankle problems, including ingrown toenails. 

What causes ingrown toenails and how can you prevent them?

Ingrown toenails result primarily from improper trimming, tight footwear, or physical trauma that forces the nail plate into the surrounding skin. You can prevent them by cutting your toenails straight across and wearing shoes with a wide toe box that doesn't pinch your toes.

A common myth is that cutting a V-shape in the center of your nail relieves pressure and changes how the nail grows. Toenails grow from the matrix deep under your cuticle, not the tip. A V-cut can leave sharp, hidden nail shards that pierce your skin and cause severe infections.

Certain groups are at a higher risk of ingrown toenails. Active adolescents often experience them due to athletic activities, and individuals requiring diabetic foot care are at risk due to neuropathy and poor circulation.

How do we treat ingrown toenails?

We use conservative, noninvasive methods and minor surgical procedures, depending on the severity of your condition. Our goal is to relieve your pain quickly and permanently prevent the nail from growing back into the skin.

For mild cases, we can gently lift the nail edge and place a sterile splint underneath. This creates a physical barrier that guides the nail to grow safely past the skin.

However, for moderate to severe or recurring cases, we perform a minor in-office procedure called a partial nail avulsion combined with a chemical matricectomy.

During this quick procedure, we remove the ingrown nail border under local anesthesia. We then apply a specialized chemical to permanently treat the underlying nail root.

A landmark study found that adding this chemical treatment reduces the risk of the ingrown nail returning to just 14%, compared to a 41% recurrence rate when the nail is removed without chemical treatment.

Many patients ask for oral antibiotics, believing the swelling and pus indicate a deep infection. However, the same study confirms that routine postoperative antibiotics don't improve healing or reduce pain.

The swelling is usually an inflammatory reaction to the nail acting as a foreign body. Once we remove the nail edge, the inflammation naturally clears up.

For patients who can’t undergo surgery, we also offer nonsurgical alternatives such as orthonyxia, or nail bracing. A clinical study showed that nail bracing has an excellent success rate with a low recurrence rate of about 7.4%, making it a fantastic option for pediatric patients or those with poor circulation.

If you suffer from the pain of an ingrown toenail, don't try to perform bathroom surgery at home. Our experienced podiatrists can help you find lasting relief. Contact our team by phone or online today to schedule an appointment.