Ingrown toenails can cause large amounts of discomfort and possibly lead to infection. Fortunately, if you are dealing with this often stubborn and painful condition, treatment options are available from the podiatrists here at Foot Care Associates. Located in both Washington and Hackettstown, NJ, read on to learn how our office team can help treat and prevent ingrown toenails!

Ingrown Toenail Causes

While any toenail can become ingrown, it most commonly occurs with big toes. Ingrown toenails develop when the sides of the nail grow too close to the skin, thus causing painful swelling and redness. Some causes of ingrown toenails include:

• Not trimming the nails straight across
• Wearing socks or shoes that are too tight
• Toe or foot injuries
• Fungal infections
• Heredity

Prevention of Ingrown Toenails

Various steps can be taken to prevent ingrown toenails from forming. One simple way to prevent ingrown toenails is to trim the toenails straight across. This is because giving the toenails rounded edges when trimming can cause them to grow too closely to the skin, resulting in ingrown toenails. Another way to help prevent ingrown toenails is to wear socks and shoes that fit properly and are not too tight.

Treatments for Ingrown Toenails

If you develop an ingrown toenail, a podiatrist can develop an individualized plan for treating your unique case. Here at our offices in Washington and Hackettstown, NJ, our ingrown toenail treatments include:

• Pain relief medications
• Soaking the feet daily in warm water
• Antibiotics or anti-fungal medication to treat any infection
• Surgical removal of either a portion or all of the affected toenail

Need Care? Give Us a Call

You do not have to struggle with the pain and discomfort of an ingrown toenail. Several treatment methods are available, and one of our podiatrists can recommend the right one for you during a consultation. For the treatment of ingrown toenails in Hackettstown or Washington, NJ, call Foot Care Associates at (908) 852-0229.