It starts as a burning discomfort. The soreness around your toenail eventually starts to spread and intensify. An ingrown toenail can seemingly hit you out of nowhere. But do you really need treatment?
You might think an ingrown toenail will resolve on its own — and it just might — but what starts as a nuisance can quickly turn into a serious problem. At Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates in Mission Viejo, California, serving patients throughout South Orange County, our board-certified podiatrists address ingrown toenails before they cause complications like infection.
Here’s how to tell if your ingrown toenail needs expert care, and what we can do about it.
A foul odor can be one of the first signs that your ingrown toenail is infected. Bacteria build-up under the skin or nail typically causes the unpleasant smell. When this happens, seek professional care immediately to prevent the infection from spreading.
Oozing fluids indicate that your body is trying to fight off bacteria, but the infection may worsen without proper treatment. Our podiatrists can clean the area, treat the infection with antibiotics, relieve your pain, and prevent further complications.
These symptoms occur when your ingrown nail irritates the surrounding skin, triggering your body’s natural immune response. If left untreated, the swelling may worsen and lead to more severe complications.
Infections cause your body’s temperature to rise. If your toe feels constantly hot to the touch, it’s time to seek professional care and possibly get treated for an infection. Our podiatrists can diagnose the severity of the infection, provide targeted treatment, and ensure your toe heals properly.
When an ingrown toenail becomes painful enough to alter the way you walk, you need a professional. Shifting your weight or limping to avoid pressure on the affected toe can strain other parts of your foot, ankle, and leg, potentially leading to further discomfort or injury.
At Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates, we offer several professional treatments for painful, infected ingrown toenails, including:
For mild cases, a wedge resection removes a small portion of the nail without the need for anesthesia.
Nail avulsion involves partially or fully removing the nail under local anesthesia.
If you have a recurrent ingrown toenail, a matrixectomy permanently removes part or all of the nail using a medical-grade solution.
Our team at Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates can treat your ingrown toenail promptly and get you back on your feet comfortably. Call our office today, or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
