Ingrown nails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin, often causing infection. They are frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but also by shoe pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity, and poor foot structure. Toenails should be trimmed straight across, slightly longer than the end of the toe, with toenail clippers. If painful or infected, I might need to remove the ingrown portion of the toenail permanently.

The first thing to keep in mind is to come and see Dr. Nelson pretty quickly once the toenail becomes ingrown. Untreated infections in the toe can cause this infection to get seated into the bone causing a condition called osteomyelitis. This condition may in turn cause you to lose your toe through a surgical amputation. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, come in and see Dr. Nelson right away. You should not have to suffer with the pain any longer than necessary.

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