Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Houston
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. At Foot Specialists of Memorial, our podiatrists provide quick, gentle in-office treatment that relieves pain right away and can permanently prevent ingrown nails from coming back.
request an appointmentWhat Causes Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails most often affect the big toe. Common causes include cutting nails too short or rounding the corners, wearing tight or narrow shoes, stubbing or injuring the toe, inheriting naturally curved nails, and thickened nails from toenail fungus. Teenagers and athletes are especially prone to ingrown nails, but they can happen at any age.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Pain and tenderness along one or both sides of the nail
- Redness and swelling around the toe
- Drainage, pus, or an overgrowth of tissue at the nail border
- Pain that worsens in shoes or with pressure
Why You Should Not Treat It at Home
It is tempting to dig out an ingrown nail with clippers, but home “bathroom surgery” often leaves a sharp nail spike behind, pushes the nail deeper, and increases the risk of infection. Patients with diabetes, poor circulation, or neuropathy should never attempt home treatment, because a minor infection can quickly become serious.
In-Office Ingrown Toenail Treatment
After numbing the toe, our podiatrist gently removes the ingrown portion of the nail. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and most patients feel immediate relief and walk out of the office in regular shoes. If the toe is infected, we may also prescribe medication. For patients with recurring ingrown nails, we can treat the nail root along the affected edge so that portion of the nail does not grow back, providing a permanent solution.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Trim toenails straight across and not too short, wear shoes with plenty of toe room, protect your feet during sports, and have thick or fungal nails treated. Learn about other skin and nail problems such as plantar warts on our conditions treated page, or explore our podiatry services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ingrown Toenail
What causes ingrown toenails?
Improper trimming, tight shoes, toe injuries, naturally curved nails, and thick fungal nails are the most common causes.
Is ingrown toenail removal painful?
The toe is numbed before treatment, so most patients feel little to no pain during the procedure and significant relief afterward.
Can an ingrown toenail be treated on my first visit?
Yes. In most cases we can treat an ingrown toenail during your first appointment.
Will my ingrown toenail come back?
Recurring ingrown nails can be permanently corrected by treating the nail root along the affected edge.
How long does it take to heal?
Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two, and the toe typically heals fully within a couple of weeks.
Should people with diabetes see a podiatrist for ingrown toenails?
Yes. People with diabetes or poor circulation should always have ingrown toenails treated professionally to avoid serious infection.
How can I prevent ingrown toenails?
Trim nails straight across, avoid cutting them too short, and wear shoes with adequate toe room.
Find Relief from Ingrown Toenail in Houston
Our podiatrists are ready to help. Call our Gessner office at (713) 464-3775 or our Greenhouse office at (281) 371-3338, or request an appointment online.