Ingrown Toenail Treatments – Podiatrist or Chiropodist in Eastbourne
You may be looking for ingrown toenail treatments in Eastbourne? At Lushington Chiropractic we are here to help, and to explain what to expect when you see a podiatrist or chiropodist in Eastbourne.
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when part of the nail edge digs painfully into the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation and sometimes infection.
The piece of ingrowing nail might be a long loose spike of nail, or simply that the nail edge has become ragged.
This condition most commonly affects the big toe, but can occur on any toe. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious complications.
What causes ingrown toenails?
Usually, some form of trauma or pressure is the underlying cause.
There may also be a combination of factors, which could include the following:
Poor nail trimming or picking at nails
Cutting or picking down the sides of the nail can leave the edges ragged or create nail spikes. A nail spike is a loose shard of nail which is still partially attatched to the rest of the nail bed, so will continue to grow into the skin, but it can be buried out of sight in the skin fold.
Ill-fitting footwear
Shoes that are too tight or narrow can put pressure or small repetitive trauma on the toes and force the nails to grow into the skin.
Sudden trauma
Stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on your foot can break or split a bit of the nail off. This broken nail can then dig into the affected or adjacent toe, causing the skin to break and allowing infection to get in.
Nail shape
Some people have “involuted” nails. This is where the natural nail shape curves or hooks inward, which makes them more vulnerable to developing ingrown nails, particularly if combined with one of the other factors listed here.
Foot shape
Conditions like bunions or hammer toes can increase the risk of developing ingrown toenails, once again because of pressure put on the nail area.
Hypergranulation
When the skin is broken, the body will try to grow new cells to heal the area, but if the area is continually irritated that will prevent it healing properly; instead, a puffy blood-rich tissue will grow and this may encase the nail, thus forcing it to become ingrown. Hypergranulation can both be a result and a cause of ingrown nails.
How do I reduce the risk of getting ingrown nails?
Some risks, like genetics, we can’t avoid, but others we can.
Go through the common causes and act on the things you can change. For example:
- Don’t pick your toenails.
- Don’t cut down the side of the nails.
- Make sure your footwear doesn’t pinch.
Our podiatrists or chiropodists in Eastbourne will help you identify these and/or other potential changes you can make, as part of your personalised ingrown toenail treatment plan.
What can I do if I have an ingrown nail?
It’s best to see a professional. Our podiatrists or chiropodists in Eastbourne can thoroughly assess the extent and cause, and can advise on the best course of ingrown toenail treatment.
But there are a few things you can do at home to help first:
Soaking in hot salt water can help prevent and treat infection. This should help reduce inflammation in the area and help the podiatrist/chiropodist really see and access the problematic nail.
Applying Vaseline between the irritant nail and skin can create a buffer and some protection. BUT do not apply if the area is an open wound with moisture, pus etc.
Ensure the toe box of your shoe is deep enough, so it doesn’t press down on the painful area. Depending on the weather and which toe is involved you may want to consider sandals, flip-flops or Crocs, but only in the short term.
What ingrown toenail treatment do podiatrists and chiropodists provide?
Our podiatrists or chiropodists in Eastbourne would first assess your individual case, to consider how deep the nail is ingrowing and thus what treatment is most appropriate.
They would also try to discover the cause of the ingrowing nail and so advise you if there is anything you can do to avoid getting them again.
If you came to us, one of podiatrists or chiropodists in Eastbourne would initially aim to:
- Remove the causing nail spike or smooth the ragged nail edge.
- Cut and shape the nail to minimise chance of repeating the problem.
- Apply antibacterial dressing/s.
- Review to check the nail shape is growing properly.
If the problem persists, or is too severe, the podiatrist/chiropodist would offer you a minor surgical procedure with local anaesthetic to remove the offending section of nail (or hypergranulation) and chemically ‘kill’ that part of the nail root so it doesn’t regrow.
This usually only requires taking away part of the nail, but the whole nail can be removed if necessary. There will be a few follow-up appointments with our podiatrist or chiropodist in Eastbourne, to ensure all is healing well and review progress. Ingrown toenail treatment is only a step away!
Conclusion
Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful, and if left untreated can severely impact daily life and create complications.
Seeking ingrown toenail treatment from a chiropodist or podiatrist in Eastbourne is crucial to alleviate your symptoms and prevent complications. Click here to CONTACT US.
Remember to practice preventive measures, such as proper nail trimming, avoiding nail picking, wearing comfortable shoes, and using protective footwear when needed.
By taking proactive steps (excuse the pun!) and seeking timely treatment, you can ensure the health and well-being of your feet.
Looking for more footcare advice?
What to Expect When You See a Chiropodist for the First Time
I hope you enjoyed reading,
Rosannah Burden, podiatrist/chiropodist at Lushington Chiropractic
BSc (Hons), mRCOP, HCPC registered
Related
By Hannah Clarke
Related Articles
Archives
Call now 01323 722499
You must be logged in to post a comment.