Ow! My Toe Hurts!

Why is your toe hurting by the nail?

It could be from ingrown toenails. Ingrown nails occur when the toenail begins to grow into the surrounding skin. There are several causes, including congenital (from birth) nail shape, injury, tight shoes, pregnancy and gait. Your body treats an ingrown like a foreign body. It does not know the difference between your own nail and a tooth pick!

Ingrown nails may become infected causing pus to drain from the side, pain and redness. Although antibiotics can be used to treat the infection, the nail will continue to be painful and ingrown unless treated. Ingrown treatment can include removal of the side of the nail. This procedure is done in office under local anesthetic. Another option in frequent ingrowns is to remove the side and cauterize the nail root. This prevents the nail from becoming ingrown in the future.

Here are some tips if you think you have an ingrown:

-Begin soaking the toe in warm water and epsin salts. This can help prevent infections and relieve pain.

-Apply antibiotic ointment and a bandaid. Using an ointment with liodcaine can help to reduce the pain.

-Cut the nail straight across. Try not to dig into the sides of the nail. 

-Do not attempt to remove the nail yourself. This can lead to worsening of infections and pain.

-The nail border should be removed by a Podiatrist as soon as possible.

Whatever the cause of the ingrown, we can help to resolve it. Give us a call at (480)-632-5757 for a consultation today!

Chris Suykerbuyk, DPM, FACFAS