All South Bay Footcare

What You Need to Know About Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are a common condition that can cause severe foot pain. This condition is easy to treat, but it is even easier to avoid. For an in-depth look at the ingrown toenail condition, keep reading.

What is an Ingrown Toenail? 

An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner of a toenail grows down into the skin of the toe. This condition typically affects the big toe, causing a pain, inflammation, and often an infection. You’ll know you’re suffering from an ingrown toenail when it hurts to wear closed-toe shoes, when you notice throbbing pain coming from the corner of your toe, or when you notice puss oozing from underneath your toenail. Wearing tight shoes, cutting your toenails too short, diabetes, and hypertension can increase your risk for developing an ingrown toenail.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Wearing shoes that squeeze the toes prohibits the toenails from growing straight. If you can feel your toe hitting up against the tip of the shoe, you could be at risk for developing an ingrown toenail. Other factors that can cause an ingrown toenail include cutting the toenail too short, cutting the corners of the toenail so that the nail grows in a curve, and trauma to the toenail that disrupts the growth pattern.

What are the Treatments for Ingrown Toenail?

You may be able to treat an ingrown toenail with several at-home remedies such as soaking your foot, using an antibiotic cream to fight infection, andwearing larger shoes. Soaking the toe in warm water can help soften the nail so that you can cut the corner that is growing into the skin. Soaking can also help relieve soreness. If your ingrown toenail becomes infected, you’ll need to contact your podiatrist. He or she may create a splint to keep the nail from contacting the skin. If you have a severe ingrown toenail, your podiatrist may remove a portion of the nail or remove the nail entirely.

If you need relief from your severely infected ingrown toenail, call All South Bay Footcare at (310) 986-2925. We are foot care specialists who provide non-surgical and surgical foot treatments so as to relieve hammertoe, bunions, corns, flat feet, and more. 

Common Foot Problems to Be Aware Of

You want to make sure your feet are always in tip top shape for sandal season. Whether it’s keeping them freshly manicured or free of any of the following foot problems, its important your feet are summer ready. Here are some common foot problems you may have encountered before and a few solutions to fixing these problems.  

• Bunions: Bunions are not just unsightly, but they’re also painful. You won’t have an easy time enjoying the active summer season if every step is painful. The good news is that minimal incision surgery allows you to have your bunion taken care of with a very short recovery time. Most people who use MIS for bunion surgery barely feel like they’ve had foot surgery at all!
• Bone Spurs and Corns: Like bunions, bone spurs and corns can be very uncomfortable, in addition to being unattractive. Like bunion surgery, corn removal can be done with minimal incision surgery and won’t cause a lot of pain or require a long recovery time.
• Nail Fungus and Infections: Toenails that have become infected with fungus often look yellowish, especially thick, or can be soft and fragile. However, there are other problems that aren’t fungus-related that have similar symptoms, so you should have your toenails looked at to properly diagnose your condition. Toenail fungus is best treated early, so don’t delay if you think you may need treatment. To avoid fungal infections, keep your feet clean and dry and change your socks regularly.
• Ingrown Toenails: Although there are home remedies for ingrown toenails, they often don’t work or they’re more painful that having them treated professionally. Ingrown toenails are typically caused by genetic factors, shoe pressure, fungal infection, or physical trauma. They’re not usually caused by improper clipping, as is commonly thought. If you have an ingrown nail, then a simple surgery to correct it at the root may be your solution so it doesn’t get any worse.

You should feel great about how your feet look this summer! All South Bay Footcare provides the best foot care in the Torrance area. We offer treatment for bunions, corns, bone spurs, ingrown toenails, and more. For more information, view our website or contact us at (310) 986-2925 to make an appointment today!

Keep Your Feet Feeling Great by Checking Out These Links

If you’d like more information on communicating with your podiatrist or wearing custom orthotics, take a look at the following resources. Call All South Bay Footcare at (310) 986-2925 to learn more about our services.

• Visit this page from Discovery Health for some excellent tips on everyday foot care.
• Ohio State University has some wonderful advice for effectively communicating with your doctor.
• Learn more about orthotic devices by reading this article from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
• This article from Podiatry Today offers information on pediatric orthotics use.
• Read this article from the Mayo Clinic to learn about the causes, treatments, and prevention of ingrown toenails.

Why Should You Get Custom-made Orthotics?

If you are experiencing any type of foot pain, you may be tempted to purchase over-the-counter orthotic devices such as heel cups or insole inserts to alleviate the problem. While these products may offer some relief, nothing can help you as well as custom orthotic devices can. Learn why custom-made orthotics fabricated by the Footmaxx System may be right for you and discuss your options with your podiatrist.

Benefits of Custom-made Orthotics

Orthotics are devices that are worn inside the shoe to address any number of foot conditions. They may be recommended as an alternative to invasive foot surgery or to provide relief from bunion pain. Custom-made orthotics offer several benefits, including:

• Targeted treatment: Since custom orthotics are manufactured per your doctor’s specifications, you can be sure they will precisely address your foot problems and provide the most therapeutic effect.
• Guaranteed fit: High-tech orthotics can be created with the Footmaxx System which uses computerized measurements to gauge size, gait, and pressure. This ensures the most accurate, individualized fit possible for optimal effectiveness and comfort.
• Superior support: The custom design of your orthotics gives your foot the exact amount of support it needs in every area. Better support can lead to pain relief and improved posture.

It is important to note that, while effective in many cases, orthotics are not for everyone. Some conditions will require foot surgery or other specialized treatment options. It is always best to discuss your options with your doctor and decide on the best course of treatment together.

If you are experiencing foot pain and are interested in learning more about custom orthotics, contact All South Bay Footcare of Los Angeles and Torrance. We also offer foot surgery, corn removal, and ingrown toenail treatment. Visit our website or give us a call at (310) 986-2925 to learn more about our foot care services or to schedule an appointment.

How to Properly Trim Your Toenails

Improperly groomed toenails can easily become ingrown and cause discomfort. Surprisingly, many people are not aware that there is a right way and a wrong way to trim toenails. In this video, you’ll learn the basics of proper toenail care.

As this clip demonstrates, conventional nail clippers are not the best tool for cutting your toenails because they do not follow the natural curve of the nail. A regular nail file may be the best tool for preventing ingrown toenails and achieving a perfectly pedicured toe.

If you are suffering from ingrown toenails or any other foot condition, contact All South Bay Footcare of Los Angeles and Torrance. We provide general foot care services, foot surgery, and diabetic foot care. Call (310) 986-2925 to book your appointment.