Of life’s unfortunate annoyances, ingrown toenails rank somewhere on the list. Exactly where on that list they rank may largely depend on your situation.
In most cases, an ingrown toenail isn’t generally a concern. There can be a bit of pain and swelling, but you can often handle the situation from the comfort of your own home. Gently guiding the nail away from growing into the surrounding skin is key, usually by soaking the foot and using dental floss or cotton to provide a small barrier.
You are viewing: When To Go To Doctor For Ingrown Toenail
However, simplicity in a majority of cases doesn’t mean all ingrown toenails are no big deal — some can become a lot more troublesome. In these situations, we highly recommend that you give us a call. Leave handling your toe to a professional with the tools and expertise to offer you relief.
When to see a doctor for an ingrown toenail
If your toe is showing signs of infection, your ingrown toenail is too painful to deal with yourself, or you have ingrown toenails that keep coming back – are all signs you may need to see a podiatrist for your ingrown toenail.
Read more : When Tables Turn
If you’re still not sure, here is more information about when it’s worth contacting a podiatrist over your ingrown toenail.
1. Your Toe Is Showing Signs of Infection
While any injury can be prone to infection, injuries to the feet can be a little more susceptible. Feet face more exposure to the surrounding environment, from dust and grime that kicks up as you walk through rainy-day puddles to the insides of sweaty, dirty footwear.
If you suspect your ingrown toenail might be infected, you should have us examine it as soon as possible. If you wait and leave your toe unchecked, the situation will become worse.
The signs of infection in an ingrown toenail can include:
- Intense pain and swelling.
- Redness that radiates outward in streaks.
- Bleeding.
- Discharge of pus.
- An overgrowth of skin around the toe.
- Possible fever.
Read more : When Is Outrageous Pumpkins Filmed 2023
Not all symptoms have to be present to indicate an infection. You should speak with a podiatrist if you have concerns, especially if you have diabetes, as this increases the chances of your toenail not healing properly.
2. Your Ingrown Toenail Is Too Painful to Deal With Yourself
Even if you don’t believe your ingrown toenail is infected, there are still cases where the pain can be severe. If simply touching the area is painful, that’s more than enough reason to see a physician, especially since trying to treat the situation yourself can lead to additional injury.
If you’re in that much pain, the odds are higher that there’s something more going on than a simple ingrown toenail. We can provide a proper examination and treat any additional problems that might be occurring. You might even have an infection after all.
3. You Have Ingrown Toenails That Keep Coming Back
Even if your cases of ingrown toenails are minor, experiencing them frequently can signal a problem. While it’s reasonable to have one every few months, if your toe keeps having trouble over and over, something is wrong. In some cases, the cause is an external problem and relatively easy to correct.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHEN