Painful toes and feet can make your daily activity difficult. That's why you shouldn’t hesitate to get professional treatment for ingrown toenails in Santa Maria, CA. At the Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. Peter Fillerup and Dr. Casey Fillerup are a family team diagnosing, preventing, and treating foot issues.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails in Santa Maria, CA?
It happens when your nail begins to grow into the skin of your toe. Ingrown toenails often occur on the big toe. Many people get this issue from wearing shoes that are too tight and narrow. People also often create ingrown toenails by not clipping them properly. If you clip them and create a round nail or cut them too short, it's easy for the nail to grow back improperly. You should also be aware of foot trauma, such as stubbing your foot or injuries from work.
Signs of Infection
One of the clearest signs of toenail infection is throbbing pain that won't go away. The infected toe may also begin to produce pus that constantly oozes or develops an abscess. You'll also notice redness or darkening around the area. The infected toe may develop a foul smell and start bleeding. It may be different to walk or wear certain shoes. The nail may also show signs of infection by thickening, cracking, and yellowing.
Treatment for Infection
Luckily, there is professional treatment for ingrown toenails in Santa Maria, CA. Dr. Peter and Dr. Casey may recommend some home remedies if your infection hasn't progressed too far yet. A good remedy is to soak your foot in Epsom salt water to help drain the pus and soften the area. They may also prescribe an antibiotic lotion to apply to the nail and skin around it. Sometimes, the toenail can be lifted by keeping a small bit of gauze underneath it. However, more direct surgical intervention may be needed.
In some cases, your doctor may have to completely remove the nail so it can grow back healthily again. Removal may involve a portion of the toenail, the entire nail, reshaping the soft tissue at the tip of the toe, or removing the nail bed along with the nail.
You don't have to live with toenail problems thanks to the professional care of Dr. Peter and Dr. Casey at Foot & Ankle Center. The team specializes in helping patients manage, prevent, and treat ingrown toenails in Santa Maria, CA. When you need to treat an infection in this area, contact 805- 934-0570 for an appointment today.