That Pain in Your Toe? Yeah… It Might Be an Ingrown Toenail

Wiki Article

Let’s be real for a sec — ingrown toenails are the worst. One day you’re living your best life, and the next your big toe is red, sore, and making shoes feel like medieval torture devices.

At United Foot & Ankle Surgeons, we totally get it. Ingrown nails might seem like a small problem, but left untreated? They can turn into something nasty — like an infection that just won’t quit.

So let’s talk about it — what causes ingrown toenails, what you can do, and why we’re the team to help you heal.

First Things First: What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

Basically, it’s when the edge or corner of your nail grows into your skin. Ouch, right? It usually shows up on your big toe, and it can bring all the drama — pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes pus (gross, but true).

 Why Does This Even Happen?

Good question. Here are some super common reasons:

• Cutting nails too short (or curving the edges)

• Wearing shoes that squish your toes

• Stubbing your toe or trauma

• Genetics — some nails are just born to curve

• Poor foot hygiene — sweaty feet = skin irritation = nail issues

Signs Your Nail's Gone Rogue

Here’s what to look out for:

• Pain or tenderness along the nail edge

• Red, puffy skin

• Warmth around the area

• Pressure = pain (especially in shoes)

• Pus or fluid = probably infected

If any of these sound familiar? Yeah, it’s time to get it checked out.

So What Can You Do About It?

Glad you asked.

 If It’s Mild:

Try soaking your foot in warm water, gently lifting the nail with clean cotton, and using antibiotic ointment. BUT — this only works if there’s no infection.

 If It’s Worse or Keeps Coming Back:

Time to see us. We offer:

• Partial Nail Removal (Avulsion) — just the part causing trouble, done with local numbing. Quick & pretty painless.

• Matrixectomy — for the repeat offenders, we remove a bit of the nail root so it stops growing in that spot forever.

These are simple in-office procedures, and you’ll be walking comfortably again in no time.

Why People Trust Us (and You Should Too)

Meet Dr. T.J. Ahn — board-certified foot and ankle specialist, fluent in English, Spanish, Korean, and Japanese. He’s all about gentle, minimally invasive care, and our whole team is focused on making your visit stress-free and actually… kinda nice?

 Preventing the Pain

Let’s keep this from happening again, yeah? Some quick tips:

• Trim nails straight across — no curves

• Don’t cut too short

• Wear shoes with actual toe room

• Keep your feet clean & dry

• Protect your toes if you’re active or accident-prone

And if your nails just won’t behave, we’ve got personalized plans to help prevent the problem before it starts.

 FAQ

Q: Can I fix this at home?
A: Maybe — if there’s no infection. But still, best to get it looked at.

Q: Can I remove it myself?
A: HARD NO. Please don’t. It’s risky and can make things worse. We’ve got sterile tools and actual training.

Q: How long’s recovery after removal?
A: Most folks feel better same-day. Full healing? 1–2 weeks. Matrixectomy takes a bit longer but is usually a permanent fix.

Q: Will it come back?
A: It can. That’s why we don’t just treat it — we go after the root cause (literally).

Ready to Walk Pain-Free Again?

Whether it’s your first ingrown toenail or your fiftieth, we’re here to help. At United Foot & Ankle Surgeons, we offer expert care, advanced techniques, and no judgment — just real relief.