Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenails in Syracuse, NY and Central New York Area

Ingrown toenails , also known as onychocryptosis , are usually caused by trimming toenails too short, particularly on the sides of the big toes. They may also be caused by shoe pressure (from shoes that are too tight or short), injury, fungus infection, heredity, or poor foot structure. Ingrown toenails occur when the corners or sides of the toenail dig into the skin, which can then lead to an  infection. A common ailment, ingrown toenails can be painful. Ingrown toenails start out hard, swollen, and tender. Left untreated, they may become sore, red, and infected and the skin may start to grow over the ingrown toenail.

Most ingrown toenails can be treated in the office and you can be comfortable and back to your activities in just a  few days. Some patients will require antibiotics which may be prescribed by the podiatrist, or you may be placed on antibiotics by your primary care doctor who referred you.

There are multiple treatment options for ingrown toenails:

• Partial Nail Avulsion (removes the offending border of the ingrown toenail)
• Complete Nail Avulsion (removes the entire nail)
• Partial Nail Avulsion with Chemical Matrixectomy (permanently removes the border of the nail)
• Complete Nail Avulsion with Chemical Matrixectomy (permanently removes the entire nail)
• Surgical Matrixectomy such as Frost, Winograd, Zadic, or Terminal Syme Procedures. These are reserved for difficult or recurrent cases when initial treatments have not proven effective.

Most of these procedures can be performed in the office, in around 30 minutes. Often, this can be done on your first appointment with Podiatry Services of CNY. In some cases, surgical matrixectomies can be performed in the office, but many of these procedures are performed in the operating room.

Do you need ingrown toenail treatment?
Podiatry Services of CNY, PC can help with various treatment options. To get more information give us a call at (315) 458-1777 !