How your podiatrists in Crofton, MD, and Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA, can help with an ingrown toenail
Ingrown toenails are a common, and ugly problem. They can be very painful too, making it difficult to wear shoes, stand, and walk. Fortunately, your podiatrist is an expert who treats toe, foot, and ankle problems.
The podiatrists at Potomac Podiatry Group provide a wide range of foot and ankle services, including treatment of ingrown toenails. They have several convenient office locations in Crofton, MD, and Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA, to help you.
So, what causes ingrown toenails? They can be caused by a variety of things, including:
- Damage to your toenails
- Cutting your toenails too short
- Toenails naturally curving under
- Wearing shoes without enough toe room
There are a lot of ways you can prevent ingrown toenails from growing. You need to:
- Avoid cutting your toenails too short
- Cut your toenails straight across with no rounded corners
- Always wear shoes that protect your feet
- Wear shoes with plenty of room for your toes
If you develop an ingrown toenail, you may be able to heal it yourself if you try:
- Wearing sandals to allow your toe to heal
- Placing a small piece of dental floss underneath your toenail to push it above your skin
- Applying antibiotic cream and bandaging your ingrown toenail
- Soaking your toe in warm water for 15 minutes 3 times a day
- Cushioning your toe with cotton or bandages
For stubborn, painful ingrown toenails that don’t heal, your podiatrist can help. Common professional treatments for an ingrown toenail include:
- Lifting and separating the toenail from the skin around it
- Trimming off the ingrown part of your nail
- Removing the toenail completely, so a new, healthy toenail can grow freely
To learn more about the causes and treatment of ingrown toenails, call the podiatrists at Potomac Podiatry Group. You can reach them in the Crofton, MD, office by calling (410) 721-4505, or Woodbridge, VA, at (703) 583-5959, Chantilly, VA, at (703) 490-5599, and Sterling, VA, by calling (703) 444-9555, so call today.