Can An Ingrown Toenail Heal On Its Own?

A foot doctor in Merrick treats ingrown toenails; which are a condition in which the corner or side of your toenail grows into soft flesh. Ingrown toenails typically cause pain and swelling, and sometimes it can lead to infection. If you ignore an infected ingrown toenail, it can prolong the infection and could potentially cause serious complications. 

Causes of ingrown toenails:

  • Cutting your toenails too short or not straight across
  • Wearing shoes that to small
  • Injuring your toenail
  • Nail infections
  • Having a curved toenail
  • Some medical conditions

Risk factors that increase your chance of ingrown toenails:

  • Being an adolescent, since your feet tend to perspire more
  • Nail cutting habits that encourage the nail to grow into the skin
  • Having reduced ability to care for your nails
  • Wearing shoes that restrict your toes
  • Doing activities that put your toes at risk for injury
  • Having diabetes which causes poor blood flow

Depending on the severity of the pain you’re experiencing due to the ingrown toenail, you may need to seek medical attention, although sometimes ingrown toenails can take care of themselves. Most times, you can take care of your ingrown toenail, but you might need to seek a foot doctor in Merrick if it becomes too painful. You can do home remedies to try and prevent an infection if you notice an ingrown toenail is starting. 

Home Remedies:

  • Soak the toe in Epson salts and warm water for 15-20 minutes about 3-4 times a day to stop inflammation
  • Place cotton or dental floss under your toenail
  • Apply petroleum jelly and cover it with a band-aid
  • Take over the counter pain relievers and/or anti-inflammatories
  • Wear shoes that let your feet breathe
  • Avoid wearing high heels
  • Wear a toe protector when wearing shoes

If none of the above are working, you will need to contact a foot doctor in Merrick. If you need to seek a foot doctor in Merrick, they could prescribe you antibiotics or even surgery to fix the ingrown toenail. The surgery would consist of removing a small section of the side of the nail, ultimately destroying the nail bed beneath. This is done to have the toenail create a new, straight nail in hopes of preventing another ingrown toenail. Contact us today!

Cherrywood Foot Care