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Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Los Angeles

Treat the Root Cause and Stop the Pain from Your Ingrown Toenail

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Person in Los Angeles seeking treatment to their ingrown toenail

overview

What is an Ingrown Toenail?

When any portion of a toenail punctures the skin and begins to push into it as it grows, it may become an ingrown nail. Ingrown nails can occur in patients of all ages, and in some cases, even the whole nail can be involved. The medical term for this condition is onychocryptosis or paronychia.

If you’re suffering from the annoying and sometimes debilitating pain from an ingrown toenail, the best ingrown toenail treatment in Los Angeles can be found at Foot and Ankle Specialty Group at our Beverly Hills office.

What Is The Purpose of Our Toenails?

Toenails no longer serve an essential function in modern humans, though historically, they assisted in tasks such as climbing. Modern studies show that losing part or even all of a toenail does not limit functionality or raise the risk of infection. Additionally, the absence of a toenail has no adverse effect on daily activities or athletic performance.

Signs and symptoms of ingrown toenail in a person in Los Angeles, showing redness and swelling.

What Are the Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail?

Patients will complain of mild to severe pain, usually in the corner of the nail. The pain starts as a mild, achy pain. As the nail continues to move into the skin, the pain will become more severe. An ingrown toenail can cause discomfort that worsens over time if left untreated. Common symptoms include:

Pain and tenderness, especially along the edge of the affected toenail
Redness and swelling on the skin around the nail, which may appear inflamed
Infection of pus, drainage, or increased warmth in the area may indicate an infection
Overgrown skin over the nail as the condition worsens

CAUSES

What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to pain, redness, and inflammation. Common causes include:

Improper Nail Trimming

Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges can encourage them to grow into the skin.

Tight or Ill-fitting Shoes

Shoes that put pressure on the toes can push the nail into the skin.

Injury or Trauma

Stubbing your toe, dropping something on it, or repeated pressure from activities like running can contribute.

Genetics

Some people inherit a natural nail shape that makes them more prone to painful ingrown toenails.

Poor Foot Hygiene

Excess moisture or lack of proper nail care can increase the risk.

Diagnosis of an Ingrown Toenail

Dr. Soomekh can diagnose an ingrown toenail through a physical examination and, in some cases, additional tests to rule out complications. The diagnostic process typically includes:

Visual Inspection
Dr. Soomekh will examine the affected toe for signs of redness, swelling, infection, or overgrown skin.
Medical History Review 
You may be asked about symptoms, past occurrences, footwear habits, and any history of foot conditions.
Signs of Infection 
If pus, warmth, or severe inflammation is present, the provider may check for bacterial infection.
X-rays (if needed) 
In severe cases or if there is concern about deeper infection, an X-ray may be taken to assess bone involvement.

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Person in Los Angeles receiving surgical treatment for moderate to severe ingrown toenail

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Ingrown Toenail Treatment Options

Conservative Treatment

Mild to Moderate Cases

In cases when the ingrown nail is mild and has just started, a home course of therapy may eliminate the pain. The patient will be asked to soak the foot in warm water and salts each day for about 20 minutes. The area should then be covered with a bandage and antibiotic ointment. This regimen will soften the nail and the surrounding skin and help the nail to come out of the skin as it grows. The doctor may use an instrument to elevate the nail out of the skin to aid in its growth in the proper way. Cutting of the nail is not indicated as it will create another sharp edge, and the problem will recur.

Moderate to Severe Cases

In most cases, the portion and side of the nail that is affected will need to be removed to the level of the root or matrix. By removing the entire side of the nail, a new nail is able to grow with the remaining nail with a straight edge. This almost eliminates the chances of a recurrence of the ingrown nail. If there is any infection or pus, this will also be drained and cleaned. Any overgrowth of tissue will also be removed. Antibiotics are usually not needed since the body’s immune system can effectively treat the infection once the nail is removed.

Partial Nail Avulsion Procedure:

The procedure is performed in the office setting in less than 10 minutes. The patient is given two small injections at the base of the toe to numb the affected area. The toe is then cleaned for the procedure. The affected area of the nail is lifted away from the nail bed and nail root using specialized instruments. The nail is then cut away from the healthy nail and removed from the root. Any pus or granulation tissue is removed. There is minimal bleeding and no pain during the procedure. The toe is then wrapped with light bandages. The patient will be asked to perform a home therapy protocol to treat the area during healing. Patients do not experience pain and are not restricted from activity or shoes during the one-week healing time. The nail will grow full width over nine to 12 months.

Chronic Cases

Patients who have multiple recurrences of ingrown nails may require more aggressive treatment. In these cases, the affected portion of the nail may need to be removed permanently, a procedure called a Matrixectomy.

Partial Matrixectomy Procedure

The procedure is performed in the office setting in Beverly Hills in less than 20 minutes. The patient is given two small injections at the base of the toe to numb the affected area. The toe is then cleaned for the procedure. The affected area of the nail is lifted away from the nail bed and nail root using specialized instruments. The nail is then cut away from the healthy nail and removed from the root. Any pus or granulation tissue is removed. A specialized acid mixture called Phenol is then carefully placed over the root (matrix) of the nail to kill the root cells. The area is then washed with alcohol to dilute the phenol. There is minimal bleeding and no pain during the procedure. The toe is then wrapped with light bandages. The patient will be asked to perform a home therapy protocol to treat the area during healing. Patients do not experience pain and are not restricted from activity or shoes during the one-week healing time. The patient should not see any nail growth in the affected area.

Total Nail Avulsion or Matrixectomy

Some patients may have a problem with the entire nail. In these cases, the whole nail may need to be removed temporarily or permanently. The same procedures are followed as above, yet remove the entire nail. No special attention is needed for the skin under the nail. If the nail root is left intact, the nail will regrow over nine to 12 months.

Surgical Treatment for an Ingrown Toenail

In very rare cases, a patient may require surgical excision of the nail root, where a chemical matrixectomy is not advised. The procedure is performed in the operating room with light sedation. The offending nail portion is removed. The skin is cut and moved away from the nail root. The nail matrix is then completely removed in the affected area. The skin is then closed with stitches. The patient can walk in a special shoe until the stitches are removed in two weeks.

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Where to Find the Best Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Los Angeles

Are you dealing with a painful ingrown toenail? Our Beverly Hills clinic offers expert care and advanced, minimally invasive treatment options to provide fast relief.

Led by one of the best podiatrists in Los Angeles, our skilled team ensures safe, effective, and comfortable treatment tailored to your needs. Whether your case requires conservative care or a quick in-office procedure, we focus on long-term solutions to prevent recurrence. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward pain-free, healthy feet.

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