Toronto's Leading Chiropodist/Foot specialists Discuss Ingrown Toenails
The Bloor West Foot Clinic in Toronto, ON, provides foot care for all common foot conditions.
Our Chiropodist/Foot specialists are outstanding, award-winning and devote themselves to caring for their patients' feet and keeping feet healthy.
Our providers are highly educated, experienced, and skilled in treating the feet and their ailments related to podiatry, with a wide variety of specialized skills to care for and treat an endless list of foot problems.
The Ins and Outs of Ingrown Toenails
The Bloor West Foot Clinic in Toronto, ON, explains that complications can arise when you do not seek treatment for ingrown toenails, such as a foot infection.
When the side of the toenail grows into the side of your toe, you develop an ingrown toenail, often causing a painful infection. Never allow this condition to go untreated; the toenail soon becomes swollen, red, and tender, making walking difficult or putting pressure on your foot painful. Skin will continue to grow over the ingrown toenail.
Ingrown toenails can develop when you cut the nail too short at the sides of the nail. Never trim toenails at the sides; always cut the nail straight across to prevent the nail from growing into the side of the toe.
Another way for ingrown toenails to develop is when you wear shoes that are too tight, and this pressure creates the ingrown toenail.
Ingrown toenails can develop if you sustain a foot injury, develop a fungus infection, or have poor foot structure. Heredity can also play a factor in your developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment options for ingrown toenails are simple.
- Soak your foot in warm, soapy water 3-4 times daily.
- Avoid wearing tight footwear.
- An infection may require an over-the-counter topical antibiotic, or we may need to order a stronger medication.
If you have a severe ingrown toenail with an acute infection, you may have no other option but surgical removal of part of the toenail. We use an anesthetic so you feel no discomfort and proceed to remove out the ingrown part of the toenail.
Part of your treatment options is prevention through,
- Avoiding tight footwear
- Ensuring clean feet daily
- Trimming toenails straight across; avoid the corners
Seek Treatment Immediately for Ingrown Toenails
Call Bloor West Foot Clinic in Toronto, ON, at (647) 725-1555 if you have symptoms of an ingrown toenail.
Foot pain can disrupt your quality of life, creating unnecessary complications and more severe treatment. Call us today, and we will help your feet stay healthy and comfortable.