Dealing with Ingrown Toenails?

An ingrown toenail may seem like a minor issue, but an ingrown nail can increase your risk of infection if the nail isn't treated as soon as possible. Your podiatrist, Dr. Douglas Robinson treats ingrown toenails and other foot and ankle conditions in his Campbell, CA, office.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails happen when the sharp edge of a nail begins to grow into the skin surrounding the nail. This may be more likely to happen if you:

  • Round Your Toenails: Rounding the nails makes it easier for the nail to pierce your skin. Cut your nails straight across instead.
  • Wear Tight Shoes or Socks: Tight shoes and socks press your nails into the skin, making ingrown toenails more likely.
  • Have Toenail Fungus: In addition to being unattractive, toenail fungus may increase your risk of an ingrown toenail. Fungal infections tend to thicken nails, which can cause them to become ingrown.
  • Have Naturally Curved Nails: Do your toenails curve downward? Curved nails often run in families and can make preventing ingrown nails more challenging.

When should I call the podiatrist?

Give your foot doctor a call if you can't free the nail yourself. When the nail first starts growing into your skin, you may be able to free it by soaking your toe in warm water for 10 or 15 minutes, then placing a piece of dental floss or cotton under the nail. (Don't try this if you have diabetes, as you may be more likely to develop foot infections.)

Is your toe painful, red, and warm? These signs may mean that you have an infection. Other signs and symptoms of infection include fever, red streaks on your skin, or pus on your toe. It's never a good idea to ignore an infection. Without treatment, the infection could spread to your bones.

Your Campbell, CA, foot doctor treats ingrown toenails with a quick, minor procedure that removes the trapped part of the nail. Before you procedure begins, you'll receive a local anesthetic that will numb your toe. If you frequently develop ingrown toenails, removing the nail may be helpful.

Don't let ingrown toenails disrupt your life! Call your Campbell, CA, podiatrist, Dr. Douglas Robinson, at (408) 370-3338 to schedule your appointment.

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Monday:

7:00 AM-4:00 PM

Tuesday:

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Wednesday:

7:00 AM-4:00 PM

Thursday:

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Friday:

7:00 AM-1:00 PM

Saturday:

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Sunday:

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