What are ingrown toenails?

While a toenail problem may not seem serious, ingrown toenails can cause severe foot pain if not treated properly. An ingrown toenail is a nail that curves downward and penetrates the skin. Ingrown toenails occur most often along the borders or edges of the nail. Common causes of ingrown toenails include a blow to the toe, wearing shoes that are too tight or trimming toenails too short. Runners, dancers and athletes are at high risk for ingrown toenails. 

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails are most often accompanied by pain, redness, and inflammation. Because the nail causes a break in the skin, infections can also occur. An infected ingrown toenail will often have discharge or drainage around the nail and give off a foul odor. 

What is the treatment for an ingrown toenail?
The offending nail border must be removed. Epson salt soaks, antibiotics or topical will not be effective unless the pressure of the nail against the skin is removed. Sometimes this can be accomplished very simply and conservatively without the need for anesthesia. At times local anesthesia may be required to remove the offending nail border.

In the case of a painful, chronic and recurring ingrown nail, the offending border of the nail can be permanently removed—a simple office procedure after which the patient may go back to work