Ingrown Toenail – When Do You Need to Consult a Doctor

Ingrown nails are common, and most people experience them. While it can be treated at home, you will have to consult a doctor if you experience extreme pain and discomfort in your ingrown nail.

If you are dealing with an ingrown toenail in Bakersfield, you must consult a doctor at the earliest. Seeking professional help will help you eliminate the risk of any further complications.

When do you need to see a doctor?

• You feel continuous pain in and around your toenail. 
• It is becoming unbreakable and is affecting your skin around it.
• There is extreme sensitivity, and you are unable to wear your shoes.
• You feel that the nail is putting pressure on your skin.
• You can see a wound that has been created by the cutting of the nail in your skin. This wound can easily get infected and can also reach your bones. 
• People with chronic diseases like diabetes are at risk as they cannot feel any pain and have weak immune systems. 

Your toenail infection can rapidly increase from minor to major, and it is best advised that you avoid any risks and consult a doctor.

How do doctors treat ingrown toenails?

1. Check for possible infections: As soon as you consult a doctor to treat your ingrown toenail, he will first check for any infections. If there are signs, he will provide you with appropriate antibiotics for a few weeks. Since patients with diabetes are at a higher risk, the doctor will be extra careful. 

2. Remove the ingrown edge: The next thing your doctor will do is perform a quick removal in which he will remove the ingrown nail. It is a simple procedure wherein local anesthesia is given to you. You will see and feel an incredible amount of improvement as soon as the process ends. Furthermore, it is a painless procedure and is done in just a couple of hours.

When the doctor removes the ingrown edge, he also eliminates the nail matrix. This means that the part will never grow back again. 

Aftercare of your toenail:

Your doctor will put a bandage on your toenail after the procedure. In addition to this, he will also give you a few aftercare instructions like how many times you have to change the bandage and if there are any sports activities that you must avoid. He might also suggest you a few home remedies like soaking your toe in warm water.

Consulting a doctor is essential as they can provide instant pain relief and lower any signs of infections. Therefore even if your ingrown toenail looks minor, show it to your trusted doctor and get appropriate treatments.