How to Prevent Severe Bunion Pain from Flaring Up
Do you have bunion pain that gets notably worse at times? Understanding why these flare-ups can happen can go a long way toward helping you prevent them in the future.
Is an Ingrown Toenail Serious?
An ingrown toenail can cause pain with every step you take and seriously impair your ability to go about your day. It may be tempting, though, to wait it out and assume it will heal on its own. However, if it’s left untreated, an ingrown toenail can worsen, even to the point that surgery may be necessary to correct it.
Don’t worry, though. No matter the severity of your ingrown toenail, Kyle Durfey, DPM, and Brian Hiapo, DPM, can offer you effective, comfortable treatment at Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center.
Determining the seriousness of an ingrown toenail
First, if you have an ingrown toenail, don’t panic. This condition is extremely common. In fact, about 20% of people who seek medical care for foot problems do so for ingrown toenails. And this condition is especially common in teens and young adults.
If you’ve noticed that the corner of one of your toenails seems to be growing into your skin, but it isn’t causing you pain, you can try correcting the issue at home. Soak your foot in warm salt water, then apply antiseptic and bandage the area. And make sure you wear roomy shoes.
Then keep an eye on the area. The following are signs of an infection resulting from an ingrown toenail:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Warm to the touch
If you see any of these warning signs, schedule an appointment with our team. Never try to correct an ingrown toenail at home or you could worsen the situation.
It’s important to come to Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center as soon as you see any red flags. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can worsen to the point that surgery may be needed to correct the problem.
Treating ingrown toenails
If at-home treatment hasn’t helped, we can help your toe get well again. If you have an infection, we can prescribe antibiotics. To address your toenail, we may need to remove a part or all of your nail. Once removed, we’ll make sure your toenail grows back correctly.
To perform a procedure, we’ll give you a local anesthetic to make sure you stay comfortable. After the procedure, any pain your toenail was causing you should be gone and any downtime should be minimal.
Don’t let an ingrown toenail worsen. To get treatment, book an appointment online or over the phone with Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center today.
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