Procedure - Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of a nail grows into the surrounding soft flesh. This is a common condition that you can usually treat on your own, but some people require treatment and removal for their ingrown toenail at Ogden Clinic in Utah. Ingrown toenails cause redness, swelling, pain, and sometimes infection. Ingrown toenails often occur on the big toe and are more prevalent in people with diabetes or conditions that affect circulation to the feet.

Ingrown toenails are often caused by:

• Injuring your toenails, such as stubbing your toe
• Having remarkably curved toenails
• Wearing tight shoes that crowd the toes

If over-the-counter and home remedies have failed to eliminate an ingrown toenail, you may want to consult with a specialist at Ogden Clinic for different treatment options including:

• Lifting up the ingrown nail edge: For a nail that is only slight ingrown, your doctor may lift the edge of the nail and place a splint, dental floss, or cotton under it. This will help separate the nail from the skin, and allows the nail to grow above the edge of the skin. Once your doctor places the material, you will need to soak your feet and replace the material daily at home.
• Partially removing the nail: If your ingrown toenail is causing pain, redness, or pus, your doctor may want to do a partial removal. For this procedure your doctor may numb your toe with a local anesthetic, then proceed to trim or remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
• Removing the ingrown nail and surrounding tissue: For patients that have recurring ingrown nails on the same toe, your doctor may recommend removing the nail along with the surrounding tissue (nail bed). This procedure is done with a chemical agent or a laser.
• Using antibiotics: Your doctor may also write you a prescription for oral or topical antibiotics if the ingrown toenail was infected or is at risk of becoming infected.

  If your at-home treatments have failed to remove your ingrown toenail, call us at Ogden Clinic to request a consultation with one of our specialists in Utah.