Podiatrists servicing the Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale and Phoenix, AZ areas

Arizona Foot Health

Podiatrists located in Phoenix, AZ

While an ingrown toenail may sound fairly benign, the pain this condition causes can hijack your entire well-being. Thankfully, relief is just one visit away at Arizona Foot Health. Ryan Golub, DPM, and Zachary Flynn, DPM, FACFAS, have considerable experience putting an end to the discomfort that ingrown toenails can inflict, helping patients in Phoenix get back to a pain-free life. For quick and easy treatment of your ingrown toenail, call the office or use the online scheduling tool.

602-973-3888

Ingrown Toenail Q & A

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the toenail, most often on your big toe, grows into the flesh along the outer edges, rather than up and over it. While the problem may seem small, an ingrown toenail can cause inflammation and tenderness that prevents you from wearing shoes of any kind, placing significant limitations on your life. In fact, ingrown toenails can become so painful that the slightest touch or bump can cause excruciating pain.

What causes an ingrown toenail?

The main culprits behind an ingrown toenail are:

Trimming your nails incorrectly (they should be trimmed straight across)
Shoes that crowd your toes
Unusually curved toenails
An injury to your toe

People who develop ingrown toenails often develop more than one, which is why seeking medical intervention is a good idea in order to put an end to the problem once and for all.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

Dr. Golub’s first order of business is to relieve your pain, which he does by trimming away the piece of nail that’s pushing into your flesh. If necessary, he first numbs the area with a local anesthetic for your comfort.

If you have persistent problems with ingrown toenails, Dr. Golub may perform a very minor, in-office procedure to remove the root of the nail so that it doesn’t grow back and become ingrown again. Rest assured that he only removes the root of the nail along the outer edges and leaves the rest of your toenail intact.

Why shouldn’t I treat an ingrown toenail on my own?

Because ingrown toenails can be so painful, people are often tempted to perform “bathroom surgery” in order to relieve the pain. Dr. Golub discourages this practice because you may cause more harm than good, leaving yourself open to infection or damaging more of your flesh than is necessary.

This is especially important if you have a condition like diabetes, where any small problem in your feet can blossom into a major issue if not properly treated.

The bottom line is that Dr. Golub can quickly and safely correct an ingrown toenail in mere minutes at his office.

To get relief for your ingrown toenail, call Arizona Foot Health or use the online scheduler to book a visit.