An ingrown toenail can be painful, and if left untreated it can potentially lead to dangerous complications, especially if you suffer from a condition like diabetes. So if you suffer from an ingrown toenail your first stop should be your local foot experts, Dr. Elizabeth Youngewirth and Dr. Irina Blustein in New York, NY, serving Inwood & Washington Heights, NY.
At-Home Treatment
In certain cases, when an ingrown nail is only a minor discomfort you may be able to treat it at home. Such as if you are able to painlessly cut the nail by parting it away from your skin.
But if your skin is already painful to the touch, if it has signs of inflammation, and especially if you suffer from diabetes, then your first call should be to your podiatrist.
An ingrown toenail can become infected if left untreated and if it is treated incorrectly.
How Your Podiatrist Can Help
Our podiatrist can remove part of the affected nail and treat it to prevent future ingrown toenail problems. Severe cases may require a full nail removal, which allows you to start with a healthy new nail even if it takes some time to grow back--typically between 12 to 18 months.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment in New York, NY, serving Inwood & Washington Heights, NY
There are many possible causes for an ingrown toenail, such as cutting your nails incorrectly and improper footwear, both are issues with which your podiatrist can help.
Keep an eye out for signs of infection such as warmth, redness, swelling, pain, and bleeding. All of these are signs to see your podiatrist and skip at-home treatments.
A physical examination is typically enough to tell the extent of your injury, but the doctor can prescribe imaging tests if the condition is severe enough.
For ingrown toenail treatment and prevention you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Youngewirth and Dr. Blustein in New York, NY, and serving Inwood & Washington Heights, NY, you can dial (212) 567-6126.