What are ingrown toenails?

An ingrown toenail is a painful condition characterized by the nail digging into the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation and possible infection of the toe. This is a serious condition for people with impaired circulation, diabetes, or other systemic diseases.

Causes of ingrown toenails:

• Heredity.
• Improper nail trimming.
• Trauma.
• Shoe pressure.
• Poor foot structure.

What can you do?

• Trim toenails straight across as a preventative measure.
• Select the proper shoe style and size.

What will Dr. Allen do for you?

• Perform a physical examination.
• Perform x-ray evaluation when necessary.
• Remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
• Culture the nail.
• Prescribe appropriate medications, such as antibiotics.
• Perform surgical correction of the nail when indicated.