Ingrown toenails can be a painful and persistent problem, affecting daily activities and overall foot health. While some cases may be managed at home, this condition often requires professional intervention.
When does an ingrown toenail require podiatry treatment?
An ingrown toenail requires podiatry treatment when pain, swelling or signs of infection persist despite home care efforts. If you experience increased sensitivity at night, throbbing pain or bleeding from minor bumps, consult a podiatrist for professional treatment options.
Signs That Indicate Podiatry Treatment Is Needed
Persistent Pain and Discomfort
Persistent pain and discomfort are clear indicators that your ingrown toenail may require more than just home treatment.
- Pain Not Resolved with Proper Nail Cutting: If you’ve attempted to trim your nail correctly but the pain persists, it may be time to consult a podiatrist. Ignoring ongoing pain can lead to more severe conditions.
- Increased Sensitivity at Night: A telltale sign of needing professional help is when the toe becomes so sensitive that even the lightest touch of sheets is painful. This sensitivity often intensifies during the night, leading to disrupted sleep and increased discomfort.
- Throbbing Sensation in the Affected Area: A constant throbbing sensation in the toe indicates that the ingrown toenail might be exerting pressure on the surrounding tissues, possibly affecting blood flow and nerve endings.
Swelling and Inflammation
Swelling and inflammation around an ingrown toenail are not just painful, they can signal more serious complications if not addressed by a podiatrist promptly.
- Signs of Worsening Swelling: Swelling is a natural response to injury, but when it worsens rather than improves over time, it signifies that the body is struggling to heal on its own and requires medical intervention.
- Redness and Tenderness Around the Nail: The area around an ingrown toenail often appears red and feels tender to the touch. This inflammation can quickly escalate into more serious complications if not treated by a podiatrist.
Bleeding and Infection
Bleeding and signs of infection are serious symptoms that require immediate podiatric care to prevent long-term damage and more severe health concerns.
- Skin Bleeding When Bumped: An ingrown toenail that bleeds easily or exudes pus indicates a breach in the skin’s integrity, which can invite bacterial infections. Hypergranulation tissue, or excessive soft tissue that bleeds easily when bumped is very common with ingrown toenails.
- Signs of Infection, Such as Pus or Unusual Discharge: The presence of pus or an unusual discharge is a clear signal that the ingrown toenail has become infected and needs immediate podiatric care to prevent further complications.
Failed Home Remedies
When traditional home treatments fail to alleviate the symptoms of an ingrown toenail, it’s a clear sign that professional intervention is necessary.
- Ineffectiveness of Topical Antiseptic Applications: When over-the-counter treatments and home remedies, such as topical antiseptics, do not alleviate the symptoms, professional treatment becomes necessary.
- Lack of Improvement Despite Proper Nail Care: If your condition does not improve even after following all the recommended home care techniques, this suggests the need for a podiatrist’s assessment!
Consequences of Ignoring Treatment
Ignoring the signs of an ingrown toenail can lead to severe complications, making early and effective treatment crucial.
- Risk of Severe Infection: Leaving an ingrown toenail can lead to serious infections that might not only affect the toe but can spread to other parts of the body if untreated.
- Potential for More Invasive Treatments: Ignoring early treatment often results in the need for more invasive surgical procedures later, which could have been avoided with timely podiatric intervention.
- Long-term Damage to the Toe: Chronic ingrown toenails can cause lasting damage to the tissues in the toe, potentially leading to deformities and chronic pain.
Steps Podiatrists Take in Treating Ingrown Toenails
When you visit a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail, they use a systematic approach to diagnose and treat the condition effectively.
Assessment and Diagnosis
The first step in any medical treatment is a thorough assessment. When you present with an ingrown toenail, a podiatrist will examine the affected toe to understand the severity and extent of the ingrowth. This examination might include checking for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus.
The podiatrist will also enquire about your medical history, any previous occurrences and your current pain levels. This comprehensive evaluation helps in forming an accurate diagnosis and delivering a patient-centred treatment plan.
Non-Surgical Interventions
One of the initial recommendations might involve soaking your foot in warm, soapy water or a salt bath. This method helps to soften the nail and the surrounding skin, reducing swelling and easing the pain.
The podiatrist may demonstrate proper nail-cutting techniques. Cutting the nail straight across and avoiding rounding the corners can prevent the nail from growing into the skin.
To combat infection and promote healing, a podiatrist may apply topical antiseptics. These substances help to keep the area clean and free from bacteria.
Depending on the case, they might also apply a small nail brace or tape back the edge of the nail to help it grow above the skin’s edge. This is often performed with appropriate bandaging to protect the toe from further irritation and infection.
Surgical Options
If the ingrown toenail is recurrent or severe, surgical intervention may be necessary. There are two types of surgeries a podiatrist may discuss and perform: partial nail avulsion, where only the affected part of the nail is removed, and complete nail avulsion, which involves removing the entire toenail. These procedures are usually performed under local anaesthesia to minimise discomfort during the process.
Post-procedure care is crucial for smooth recovery. After a surgical intervention, the podiatrist will cover the toe with a sterile bandage and provide instructions on how to care for the wound at home. This might include keeping the foot elevated, applying topical antiseptic solutions, and changing bandages regularly.
The podiatrist will also schedule follow-up visits to monitor the healing process and prevent potential complications like infection or abnormal nail growth.
There are a small percentage of ingrown toenails that are severe and do not resolve with Partial Nail Avulsions – these cases may involve excessive hypergranulation tissue, impaired healing or regrowth of the offending nail. In these rare cases, there may be a need to refer on for wedge resection with a podiatric or general surgeon.
Prevention Tips
Proactive measures are key to preventing the development of ingrown toenails and maintaining overall foot health.
- Proper Nail Cutting Techniques: Learning and adhering to the correct nail-cutting technique is crucial in preventing ingrown toenails.
- Choosing Appropriate Footwear: Selecting the right footwear that provides sufficient room for your toes can significantly reduce the risk of developing ingrown toenails.
- Maintaining Foot Hygiene: Regular cleaning and proper foot hygiene can help prevent many foot-related problems, including ingrown toenails.
Ready to Resolve Your Ingrown Toenail?
If you’re struggling with the discomfort and pain of an ingrown toenail, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. At Lidcombe Podiatry, we specialise in providing quick, effective treatments that can relieve your pain and help prevent future issues. Our experienced podiatrists use the latest techniques to ensure minimal discomfort and promote a speedy recovery.
Take the first step towards pain-free, healthy feet today. Call us at (02) 8745 6297 or visit our Contact Us page. Your feet will thank you!
