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Ingrown Nail Specialist

Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist

Podiatry & Foot and Ankle Specialists located in Homer Glen, IL

Ingrown nails are often inevitable, and they can be resilient to at-home remedies. Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist offer targeted ingrown nail services for people of all ages living in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois, to eliminate them for good. Call the office today or book an appointment online with an expert podiatrist.

Ingrown Nail Q & A

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown nail occurs when the side or the corner of your toenail begins to grow into the soft tissue at the side of your nail bed. For 1 in 5 American adults, ingrown toenails occur in the big toe. 

Untreated, an ingrown toenail can be a great source of pain, cause redness, and induce swelling. An ingrown toenail can also lead to infections. 

In some instances, you may be able to take care of the ingrowth yourself by lifting, clipping, or reshaping the nail at-home. However, you should get in touch with a podiatrist at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist if this triggers too much pain for you to continue on your own.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown nail?

Symptoms of an ingrown nail are noticeable almost immediately. Since the nail is growing directly into the soft tissue of the toe, you will most likely experience any of the following symptoms: 

  • Redness
  • Swelling 
  • Pain
  • Tenderness

Although infections are not common, if you do not address them, you might see some pus build-up or the infection spread to other parts of the foot. 

If you are struggling with diabetes, an ingrown nail can take larger proportions, as blood flow might become obstructed. If that is the case, seek out the help of an expert podiatrist at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist today. 

What causes an ingrown nail?

There are a variety of reasons why you may experience an ingrown nail. In most cases, however, ingrown nails occur because of an injury to the toenail itself or the unusually curved shape of your toenail. 

You may also experience an ingrown nail because of the type of shoes you wear. Tight-fitting shoes will overcrowd your toenails and can cause improper growth. 

Ingrown nails can also occur because of how you cut your nails. If you cut your nails too short or at an angle, the nail may grow back ingrown. 

How do you treat an ingrown toenail?

If your ingrown nail is causing a lot of pain, or if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, get in touch with Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist as soon as possible.

While you wait for your appointment, soak your foot regularly in warm water to help with inflammation and irritation. That may also help reduce pain and tenderness symptoms in the affected area. 

Your provider at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist may need to remove a portion of the nail or nail bed to allow the nail to grow back properly. The procedure is noninvasive and often painless. 

If you know you are sensitive to pain, your podiatrist can give you a local anesthetic to keep your mind and body at ease. 

Don’t let an ingrown nail complicate your daily life. Book an appointment at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist through the online booking tool or call the office today.