Our Services / Ingrown Toenail

What is an ingrown toenail?

A toenail becomes ingrown when it grows into the skin around your nail bed instead of away from your toe. Most people experience an ingrown toenail at least once in their life. Usually, the condition isn’t serious, but if you have diabetes or another health problem that affects your circulation, it’s important to seek professional help.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Red, inflamed skin
• Swelling

Over time, you might also experience signs of infection, like bleeding, sensitive skin, or oozing pus.

Should I see a podiatrist about an ingrown toenail?

Make an appointment at Chevy Chase Foot & Ankle if you experience an ingrown toenail and the nail is red, inflamed, or painful. That’s especially true if you’ve been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects blood flow to your lower extremities, like peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Who is at risk of experiencing an ingrown toenail?

Several factors may increase your risk of experiencing an ingrown toenail, including:

• Having sweaty feet
• Cutting your toenails at an angle, instead of straight across
• Wearing tight shoes that cut off blood flow to your toes
• Running
• Playing sports that involve kicking

You’re also more likely to experience an ingrown toenail if you have an underlying medical problem, like diabetes.

How is an ingrown toenail diagnosed?

At Chevy Chase Foot & Ankle, Dr. Sadoughi diagnoses ingrown toenails during an in-office visit.

First, he reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when you first noticed the ingrown nail, if it responds to at-home treatments, and if the pain is worse during certain activities. 

Next, Dr. Sadoughi has you take off your shoes and socks. Then, he carefully examines your toes and toenails, looking for signs of redness, swelling, or infection. Ingrown nails are visible to the eye, but Dr. Sadoughi might also order a series of X-rays to see how far the nail grows into your skin and to determine the best course of treatment.

How is an ingrown toenail treated?

At Chevy Chase Foot & Ankle, Dr. Sadoughi offers several types of treatment for ingrown toenails. Depending on your age and the severity of your symptoms, he might recommend lifting the nail, taping the nail, partially removing the nail, or –– if the ingrown nail recurs –– removing it completely.

Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, prevent infection, and restore your mobility. 

If you need treatment for an ingrown toenail, make an appointment at Chevy Chase Foot & Ankle by calling the office or booking online today.