Ingrown toenails are common conditions that happen when the side or corner of a nail grows into soft flesh – usually in the big toe of feet. This can cause irritation, pain, redness, swelling, and infection. Although ingrown toenails are not life threatening, they can be a great cause for discomfort for our patients. This is especially true for those who have diabetes or other medical conditions that prevent proper blood flow to the feet.
Symptoms, Causes & Prevention
The symptoms of ingrown toenails include redness, swelling of the toe around the nail, and pain in or around the toenail itself. The causes of ingrown toenails can be because of poorly fitted shoes, injury to the toenail, unusually curved toenails, or toenails that have been cut too short or not straight across. If surgery is not needed, there are ways to prevent ingrown nails from occurring. This can be done through wearing protective footwear (like steel-toed shoes), properly fitted shoes, and trimming nails straight across and at a moderate length.
The Go-laser Treatment
Laser treatment to correct ingrown toenails is an available service at Zimmermann Podiatry in Leesburg, Florida. The Go-laser is designed to destroy specific organisms that grow in your toenails which are called Onychomycosis. This method is the safest way to kill fungus. It is especially important that an ingrown nail does not start in one toenail and then spread to other toes, which is why we recommend that clients treat all 10 toenails for optimum results.
Questions Concerning Go-laser Treatment
One of the questions that we are asked by patients is whether Go-laser treatment is painful. The procedure itself does not cause pain but some comment that the area can feel warm. This is due to the laser itself being warm. If this occurs, we stop and allow a few seconds for the sensation to go away.
Another question that we are asked is if the Go-laser treatment is covered by insurance. The laser is considered a cosmetic procedure and it is not covered by insurance.
Complications with Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail can cause complications if it is not treated properly or seen by a specialist. Although not all ingrown toenails need to be treated with Go-laser treatment, it is important for those who are diabetic or have blood circulation issues to be seen. Minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, callouses, or corns can quickly become serious.
An ingrown toenail can infect the underlying bone and lead to a serious bone infection if not treated properly. Foot ulcers can require patients to have surgery in order to prevent the decay or death of the tissue. That is why it is essential for patients to come in for any and all concerns surrounding their foot health.
Conclusion
Ingrown toenails are a common condition that can be easily treated in a doctor’s office. We strive every day to live up to our reputation as one of the leading foot doctors in the Leesburg area and pride ourselves in the best care possible.