Are You Dealing With an Ingrown Toenail?
Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the side of a nail grows into the flesh. Anyone can suffer from ingrown toenails as a result of improper trimming of the nails or poorly fitting shoes. Reisinger Farmer Podiatry, which is located in Evansville, IN, offers a full range of podiatric services. Dr. Charlotte Reisinger and Dr. Dusky Farmer are some of the top podiatrists in Evansville, IN. Here are five ways to treat ingrown toenails.
1. Salt water soaks. To treat an ingrown toenail, fill up your bathtub or a bucket with warm water, and add 1 tablespoon of salt for every quart of water. Soak your foot three times a day for 20 minutes. The water will penetrate deep into the cracks and destroy any bacteria, which helps prevent infection. Soaking the affected foot will also help ease pain and reduce swelling.
2. Antibiotics. In some cases, ingrown toenails break through the skin and allow bacteria to enter the tissues next to the toenail. The resulting infection is treated with antibiotics. Your podiatrist may recommend using oral or topical antibiotics, especially if your toe is infected or at risk of becoming infected.
3. Lifting the nail. Your doctor may lift the corner of the nail that's digging into the skin by placing a splint, cotton wedge, or waxed dental floss under it. This separates the nail from the skin and helps the toenail grow above the skin edge. At home, you will need to replace the material every day.
4. Partial nail removal. For a severe ingrown toenail, your podiatrist may trim or remove the ingrown part of the nail. Before the procedure, your doctor will numb your toe by injecting it with local anesthesia. The procedure helps to prevent the ingrown toenail from returning.
5. Complete nail removal. If you have chronic pain or the infection returns, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your toenail. Ingrown toenail surgery is a simple procedure. Before the procedure, your doctor will numb your toe by injecting it with local anesthesia. Your podiatrist will then use a laser, chemical, or other methods to remove the nail.
Ingrown toenails hurt, but you don't have to suffer. Call Reisinger Farmer Podiatry at (812) 421-8555 today to schedule an appointment in Evansville, IN. Get your life back on track by receiving the best ingrown nail treatment available. We want you to live your best possible life!