If you have redness and soreness around the side of one of your toenails, it could be due to an ingrown nail. This occurs when the side or corner of a toenail grows into the flesh around the nail. There are various causes of ingrown nails, such as nails that are cut too short or are extra curvy, small footwear that compress the toes, or injury to the toe. An ingrown toenail can cause mild symptoms at first, but, if not treated, it can become an infected toe.
At first, an ingrown toenail may not produce any symptoms. However, over time, symptoms begin to creep up. The first sign is that the soreness occurs on the big toe, as that is the most common place to have an ingrown nail. Other symptoms include:
If you can catch an ingrown toenail before it begins to have any symptoms, you can probably treat it easily at home. You can soak your feet or try moving the skin away from the nail to get the ingrown part out. There are also over-the-counter remedies, such as antibiotic ointments, to help manage soreness and redness and to prevent infection.
If the toe does become infected, it is a good idea to come in and see us. If the problem becomes severe, surgery may be necessary to stop the infection from getting worse. People with poor circulation in their feet should also come in for treatment, even if the toe is not infected yet. Our foot experts can diagnose the problem and prescribe the best treatment method. Give us a call at 401-949-3220 or fill out our online form to request an appointment.