Ingrown Toenail

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.

If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. However, even if the toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.

Physician care:
A minor surgical procedure, performed in the office, will ease the pain and remove the offending nail. After applying a local anesthetic, the doctor removes part of the nail’s side border.  become ingrown

Following the nail procedure, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little pain after surgery and may resume normal activity that day. If your surgeon has prescribed an oral antibiotic, be sure to take all the medication, even if your symptoms have improved.