Ingrown Toenail Specialist
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Podiatry Healthcare Associates
Maurice Betesh, DPM
Foot & Ankle Specialist located in Midwood, Clinton Hills, & Marine Park, Brooklyn, NY
If an ingrown toenail forces you to wear sandals despite the weather, it’s time to get out of pain with help from a foot care specialist. At Podiatry Healthcare Associates in Brooklyn, New York City, skilled board-certified podiatrist Maurice Betesh, DPM, offers advanced solutions for an ingrown toenail to ensure that you won’t have this problem again. Call the Midwood, Clinton Hills, or Marine Park, Brooklyn, location, or use online scheduling now.
Ingrown Toenail Q & A
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail is a nail (usually, your big toenail) that curves at the corners, growing right into your skin at the nail borders. As the nail digs into your skin, it causes reactions like:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Warm or hot feeling skin
An ingrown toenail can cause a break in your skin, allowing bacteria to invade your skin and cause an infection. If your ingrown toenail gets infected, it may seep pus and other fluids with a foul odor.
What causes ingrown toenails?
A few different things can cause ingrown toenails:
Heredity
If your immediate relatives have ingrown toenails, it's quite likely a problem for you as well.
Poor nail care habits
Trimming your nails the wrong way is a leading cause of ingrown toenails. If you trim your nails too short, it allows your skin to grow over the nails, so avoid trimming your nails any shorter than the ends of your toes. About 1-2 mm at the ends of your toenails is ideal.
Also, if you trim in an arc, it creates the perfect opportunity for the edges of your nails to pierce the skin and become ingrown. It's best to trim straight across.
Improper footwear
Any shoes that crowd your toes or put serious pressure on your toes, like high heels, can cause ingrown toenails.
Foot trauma
Foot trauma, such as stubbing your toe or even kicking a soccer ball, can lead to ingrown toenails.
No matter the cause of your ingrown toenail, Dr. Betesh at Podiatry Healthcare Associates can treat it and get you out of pain now.
What is the treatment for ingrown toenails?
Dr. Betesh typically numbs your toe and removes the ingrown part of your nail. Depending on whether your ingrown toenail is infected, you could need oral or topical medication as well.
If you have chronic ingrown toenails, Dr. Betesh may recommend a more permanent solution like removing the matrix (the root) of the particular part of the nail that’s causing the problem. After removing this section of your nail matrix, that part of the nail won’t regrow. This leaves you with most of your toenail intact, just a narrower nail overall.
If you have diabetes, quick and decisive ingrown toenail treatment is particularly important because diabetes causes poor circulation, which can lead to problems like infection. To avoid these complications, Dr. Betesh may recommend both immediate nail removal and preventive care.
Dr. Betesh can help you implement optimal new foot care techniques to avoid ingrown toenails in the future.
Podiatry Healthcare Associates can treat even the most stubborn ingrown toenails, so reach out for help by calling the office nearest you or booking online now.
