Ingrown toenails are very common to have. However, not too many people are aware of how much damage one tiny nail can cause to the entire body. It is imperative that the moment you realize you have an ingrown toenail that you begin a proper process for treating the nail to prevent infection and further discomfort, or the need to seek medical attention.
Ingrown toenails result when the side of the nail is curved enough that it punctures the skin on the side of the nail. When this irritation occurs, it can cause significant redness, swelling, and pain to the skin as well as the nail. Unfortunately, it will not often go away on its own without finding a means to cut the ingrown toenail out.
Do Not Try to Go It Alone
While there are some daredevils that will try and clip the nail on their own it is advised by most medical professionals that you don’t attempt to cut the nails out by yourself.
Oftentimes, when people self-treat they end up leaving behind pieces of the nail on the side or deeper into the skin. As a result of improper cutting it could lead to serious infections which would require antibiotics or even surgery to treat the problem.
Do Not Prolong Treatment
If you’ve been trying a while on your own to treat the ingrown toenail with little success you should immediately reach out to a medical professional. When fungal infections appear on the toenails it can cause a hardening of the nails as well as yellow, brown, or white discoloration underneath the nails.
Patients who wait to be treated after realizing they have infection run the risk of it spreading. Infections can easily spread across other nails if not treated timely. You will need to have a combination of topical/oral anti-fungal medications and laser therapy to have the infection removed.
Diabetics – Take Heed
Anyone who is a diabetic and is dealing with an ingrown toenail needs to pay close attention to detail. As you already know diabetics can be seriously harmed by feet injuries and thus needs to be treated right away. In fact, it is suggested that diabetics do not necessarily try any home remedies but simply get to the podiatrist for assistance.
Since diabetics naturally take longer to heal and don’t always respond well to antibiotics they have higher chances of their ingrown toenail becoming infected and spreading to the nail, skin, and bones. In rare cases, diabetics have had to have their toe amputated as a means to keep the infection from spreading further.
As common as having an ingrown toenail is, it is essential that you also understand the risks involved in home treating or prolonging treatment altogether. Infections, with a great amount of pain and discomfort, as well as the possibility for amputation, should encourage you to get an effective treatment from a medical professional – ASAP.
Even if you think you’ve solved the problem following up with a doctor to ensure proper care and no risks for infection are essential to your overall health.
