The Telltale Signs of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic nerve damage can affect where and how you feel pain, your sense of touch, your muscle control, and even your heart and lung function. If you have diabetes, here’s what to watch for.
Signs Your Ingrown Toenail Is Infected and Requires Professional Treatment
Dealing with an ingrown toenail can be painful and frustrating, but how do you know when to seek professional help?
As partners of Utah Musculoskeletal Specialists, we’ve seen our fair share of ingrown toenails at Dan Preece, DPM, & Darren Groberg, DPM, in Salt Lake City. Some are minor problems that resolve with diligent home care, but others need medical intervention.
Here, our experienced podiatrists explain the signs indicating your ingrown toenail might be infected and require our help.
All about ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a nail grows into the skin around it. They’re most common on the big toe, but they can also affect other toes. They usually occur due to improper nail trimming, wearing tight shoes, or injury.
An ingrown toenail starts with minor discomfort but can escalate into a severe problem if you don’t address it.
The first signs of an ingrown toenail are redness, swelling, and pain around the nail.
Sometimes, you can resolve the problem with at-home care, but keep an eye on your toe — those early symptoms could be a precursor to infection.
How to handle an ingrown toenail at home
You can do several things at home to alleviate discomfort and encourage healing.
- Soak your foot in warm, soapy water for about 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times daily, to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- After soaking, gently dry your toe and place a small piece of cotton or dental floss between the ingrown edge of the nail and your skin to encourage the nail to grow above the skin edge.
- To manage discomfort, use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Keep your toe clean and dry to prevent infection.
- Avoid tight shoes or footwear that places pressure on the toe.
Call us if symptoms worsen or don’t improve after a few days.
Signs your ingrown toenail needs medical care
Home remedies aren’t a substitute for professional medical treatment in cases of infection. If your at-home efforts don’t work, it’s time to see us for help. Here’s how to tell.
The pain becomes unbearable
All ingrown toenails hurt, but severe pain is a clear sign that you need help. If it’s difficult to walk, wear shoes, or even touch the affected toe, come see us.
You see signs of infection
Infections are easy to spot:
- Increased redness and swelling
- Pus or drainage from the affected area
- A foul odor coming from the toe
- Fever or chills
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you don’t get it treated, the infection can spread.
There is increased swelling and redness
While some redness and swelling are common with ingrown toenails, if they’re excessively swollen or deep red, it can indicate an infection, as these are signs your body’s immune response is trying to fight off the invading bacteria.
You have pus and drainage
The presence of pus or drainage is a clear sign of infection. Pus is a thick white, yellow, or greenish discharge your body produces in response to bacteria.
If you notice any pus from your ingrown toenail, you need medical attention.
Your toe smells bad
Another sign of infection is a foul odor from the affected toe — it means the bacteria in the pus are breaking down tissues and producing waste products.
You have a fever and chills
Fever and chills are signs of the infection spreading beyond your toe to the rest of your body. It means your body is fighting a more widespread infection and indicates a need for urgent care.
What to expect during professional treatment
Dr. Preece, Dr. Groberg, or Dr. Christian Smith assesses your ingrown toenail to determine the best treatment. Common procedures include:
- Lifting the nail to relieve pressure
- Partial nail removal to eliminate the ingrown portion
- Total nail removal in severe cases
We typically use local anesthesia to minimize discomfort and may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
How to prevent ingrown toenails
Preventing ingrown toenails is easier than treating them. Here are some tips:
- Trim your nails straight across without cutting them too short
- Wear shoes that fit properly and provide enough room for your toes
- Avoid trauma to your toes by wearing protective footwear when necessary
If you’re concerned about an ingrown toenail, call Dan Preece, DPM, & Darren Groberg, DPM, or request an appointment online.
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