It starts with a little pinch. Maybe your shoe felt tight, or you stubbed your toe. A couple of days go by, and your toe is red, a little swollen, maybe even painful to the touch. You assume it’s nothing serious, so you grab a pair of clippers, try to cut the corner out, and hope for the best.
But days later, the pain gets worse. The redness spreads. You notice drainage, and maybe even a bad smell. What was a small annoyance now has you limping—and possibly facing an infection that could have been avoided with professional care.
At Fairfield County Foot Surgeons, we’ve seen this story play out over and over again. That’s why we’re here to tell you: don’t try to fix your ingrown toenail at home. It’s not just painful—it can be dangerous.
What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. This causes inflammation, pain, and eventually infection.
It typically affects the big toe but can happen on any toe. Some of the most common causes include:
- Trimming your toenails too short or at an angle
- Wearing tight or poorly fitting shoes
- Injuring your toe during sports or daily activity
- Genetic factors that cause naturally curved nails
- Repeated pressure on the toes, such as from running or ballet
Why Home Remedies Make Things Worse
Let’s be real—most people aren’t using sterilized surgical instruments or assessing skin condition before cutting. They’re using bathroom clippers or scissors and hoping to "dig it out."
But here’s what really happens:
1. You Create a Bigger Wound
Digging into the nail bed can rip the skin or create deeper openings for bacteria to enter.
2. You Introduce Bacteria
Even if the tools look clean, they’re not sterile. One wrong snip and you’ve created the perfect entry point for infection.
3. You Make It Worse
Improper cutting techniques usually leave a sharp edge under the skin, worsening the ingrown and causing more pain.
4. You Delay Proper Care
By the time patients come into our office, the nail is deeply embedded, and they’re dealing with infection, drainage, and in some cases—bone involvement.
Signs of a Serious Ingrown Toenail
While some ingrown toenails are minor, others require immediate professional attention. If you experience any of the following, it’s time to make an appointment:
- Severe pain or throbbing around the toenail
- Swelling or redness that’s spreading
- Pus or drainage
- Foul odor from the toe
- Difficulty walking due to pain
- Fever (in rare, advanced cases)
For individuals with diabetes, poor circulation, or weakened immune systems, even a mild ingrown toenail can spiral out of control quickly.
How We Help at Fairfield County Foot Surgeons
When you come to our office, we examine the toe to assess how deep the nail has embedded, whether there’s infection, and whether you’ve had this issue before.
Based on what we find, we may:
- Gently lift the nail and place a splint under it
- Remove the edge of the nail that is causing the problem
- In recurrent cases, remove part of the nail root to prevent future issues
These procedures are done under local anesthesia and are quick, clean, and safe.
You’ll be back on your feet fast—and without the risk of home-based complications.
Can an Ingrown Toenail Be Life-Threatening?
It may sound extreme, but in rare cases—especially for diabetic patients—an infected ingrown toenail can lead to serious complications like:
- Deep tissue infection
- Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Cellulitis
- Hospitalization for IV antibiotics
- Amputation
This is why early, professional intervention is so important.
Tips to Prevent Ingrown Toenails
Preventing future ingrown nails is entirely possible with a few changes:
- Trim nails straight across—don’t round the corners
- Keep nails at a moderate length—don’t cut them too short
- Wear shoes that give your toes room to move
- Don’t pick at your nails or try to dig them out
- Monitor foot health daily if you have diabetes or circulation issues
Don’t Wait Until It Hurts to Walk
If your toe is painful, swollen, or looks infected, it’s time to stop guessing and start healing. You don’t have to suffer through the pain—or make things worse with home remedies.
Contact us today by clicking here to schedule your visit with Fairfield County Foot Surgeons in Norwalk, CT. Let us take care of it safely and effectively, so you can get back to walking without pain.