An ingrown toenail is an uncomfortable condition. Treatment options range from home remedies such as soaking feet in warm water or wearing wider shoes to surgery. The good news is that if you suffer from ingrown toenails, Dr. Michael Kim of Grace Foot and Ankle Center in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, can help.

Let's look at some of the leading causes of this condition.

Poor Nail Trimming

Poor nail trimming practices can result in ingrown toenails by encouraging skin folds over the edges of the nail, leading to discomfort such as pain, redness, swelling and warmth in the affected area.

Ingrown toenails are most frequently seen on the big toe, though they can affect other toes as well. Symptoms may include pain, redness, swelling and warmth with drainage or foul-smelling drainage possible as well.

Tight Footwear

Tight shoes may exacerbate an this condition by restricting toe movement and forcing the nails to grow incorrectly, creating pressure that causes pain, swelling and infection.

Wearing shoes that are too tight can cause blisters on the feet, which resemble skin indentations and leak clear fluid. While most blisters subside once you stop wearing them, if they persist they could pose serious problems.

An additional potential source is shoe toe boxes that do not allow toes enough room to move freely, which prevents unnecessary squeezing and pressure that could result in an ingrown toenail in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Toe Injuries

If you happen to drop something on your toe or even stub your toe, this can result in a toenail becoming ingrown. For instance, if the damaged part of your toenail falls off, but the edge of the toenail remains, it may grow into the skin.

When the remaining toenail grows into the skin, this often results in pain, swelling, irritation, and redness in that area of your toe.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are one of the primary sources of nail problems, especially among those living with diabetes or having an impaired immune system. Fungal infections may also develop if someone sweats excessively, walks barefoot in locker rooms and showers frequently, or has moist hands and feet.

Untreated nails may thicken, crumble and change color - typically yellow or white but sometimes green or black - with onycholysis being one possible outcome.

Maintaining clean and dry feet is the primary way to reduce the risk of fungal nail infections while applying antifungal creams or gels and wearing shoes that allow airflow can further lower this risk.

Call Grace Foot and Ankle Center at (909) 858-2772 to schedule your ingrown toenail treatment in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, with Dr. Kim so that he can provide the most up-to-date and innovative solutions available.