Foot & ankle specialists

For something as simple as having an ingrown toenail, going to the doctor can seem like overkill. But in the event that your nail does become infected, ingrown toenails can be serious conditions, and almost always require the attention of a doctor or nurse.

If you notice any of these signs of infection: drainage, heat, or a bad odor, contact your doctor, who may recommend seeing a podiatrist (foot specialist). Sometimes podiatrists have to remove the corner of the ingrown toenail and drain any pus or fluid that has formed. Anyway, don't worry. The doctor will use medicine to anesthetize your foot, so you will feel no pain, and you will feel much better after the procedure.

If the nail keeps growing back under the skin, doctors sometimes do a small operation to remove a large part of the nail or, rarely, the entire nail. Taking care of your toe after having an ingrown toenail surgery is almost as important as the operation itself. Doing what your doctor tells you after surgery will help prevent possible infections and make it much less likely that the nail will ingrow again.