The Impact of Ingrown Toenails on Quality of Life

Not only are ingrown toenails persistent, but they can also affect your quality of life. This should motivate you to seek out ways to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of this very common foot problem. Dr. James Hurst and the team at Centreville Foot Ankle Sports Medicine in Centreville, VA, will help you with ingrown toenails so that you can feel more comfortable on your feet.

Description of Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail occurs when the tough, sharp corners of the nail pierce the surface of the skin. As the nail continues to grow, or the patient continues to walk in restrictive shoes, it will continue to cut into the skin, causing pain, bleeding, and a possible infection over time. Ingrown toenails often happen when the skin is swollen or just generally thick around the edges of the nail. Patients who have ingrown toenails may have poor nail hygiene and clip their toenails improperly.

Impact of Ingrown Toenails on Quality of Life

Some people think that an ingrown toenail is a minor issue that will resolve on its own. However, certain patients, like diabetics and people with circulatory issues, are at a high risk of infections and ulcers due to unhealed wounds caused by ingrown toenails. They can also impact your quality of life due to having to work and exercise in pain. When they resolve but recur frequently, it requires constant monitoring and maintenance of your nails.

Repairing Ingrown Toenails

The way your Centreville, VA, podiatrist treats your ingrown toenails will vary depending on the severity of the condition. If the nail is newly entering the skin, the podiatrist will likely recommend professional nail clipping and soaking the feet in heated water to help ease the nail out of the skin. If it is a serious case that has caused a deep cut and infection, your foot doctor may perform a surgical procedure to remove the nail or nail bed.

Protect Your Toenails and Foot Health

Once you come to terms with the impact that ingrown toenails can have on your life, you'll realize how valuable it can be to ask a podiatrist for help. Call (703) 830-3338 today to set an appointment with Dr. James Hurst at Centreville Foot Ankle Sports Medicine in Centreville, VA, for ingrown toenails.