Ingrown toenails result from your toenail corners growing into soft flesh. This causes skin inflammation, swelling, tenderness, and redness around your toe, which can sometimes result in an infection. Ingrown toenail Atoka is prevalent among teenagers and older adults since their nails tend to become hard with age advancement. There are two main toenail removal options; partial and total nail avulsion. Ingrown toenail surgery may seem scary, but it is, in certain circumstances, the best solution. Among such situations are:
Chronic ingrown toenail
Ingrown toenails could be receptive to your care measures and subside. However, it can become a persistent problem. Chronic ingrown toenail causes repeated instances of significant pain, irritation, redness, swelling, and infection. The symptoms can become more than an unpleasant experience, significantly affecting your routine. You could struggle to find the right shoes, walk, sleep, or manage your day-to-day activities.
Such impacts can turn your life inside out and expose you to severe health conditions. For instance, ongoing pain and sleep deprivation increase the risk of mental and cardiovascular conditions. With the surgery, you permanently remove the side or the entire nail causing the problem, allowing you to eliminate such symptoms and potential complications.
Recurring ingrown toenails
Care measures, including proper nail trimming, keeping your feet clean and dry, wearing the right shoes, and even supportive gear considering your occupation, can help minimize the ingrown toenail risk. When they occur, you can follow conservative measures like lifting the nail, tapping, or placing a gutter splint below the nail. You can also use home remedies like warm soaks to soothe the area and pain relievers. Such care measures can help deal with ingrown toenails, but removal is recommended when they keep popping back. Surgery ensures you no longer have to keep dealing with ingrown toenails, especially since the conservative care measures can prove overwhelming.
Medical considerations
Certain health considerations increase your risk of ingrown toenails complications, including diabetes and conditions that affect your nerves or immunity. Reduced immunity means you are susceptible to complications like fungal and other infections that can spread beyond the flesh to the bone. If you have diabetes, the situation is worse since such infections take longer to heal. This can result in serious situations that could even ultimately lead to amputation. Ingrown toenail removal help prevents such a situation, allowing you to lead a healthier life.
Overwhelming symptoms
You may experience significant pain, swelling, and irritation, although it is your first time with an ingrown toenail. Such symptoms can be incapacitating and fail to improve despite your efforts and conservative treatment attempts. In such instances, removal is the best strategy to help you remain active and productive.
Ingrown toenails are a common problem, and you could be genetically predisposed. Such an unmodifiable risk factor makes it hard to keep the problem at bay, and you may need surgery to keep it from affecting the quality of your life. Contact Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists for more on ingrown toenails and treatment options.
