Warning Signs Your Shoes Are Worn Out
July 1, 2023
What Does a Neuroma Actually Feel Like?
September 1, 2023
Ingrown toenails should never be ignored. And taking care of them at home can lead to complications. That is especially true for people with diabetes.
Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers, with six Arizona locations, offers gentle and professional treatments for ingrown toenails along with other foot-related issues. Our providers — Payam Sarraf, DPM, Kate Kennedy, DPM, Katy Statler, DPM, Andrew Goodeill, DPM, Christopher Van Damme, DPM, Amelia Harris, DPM, and Sina Safar, DPM — have extensive knowledge about diabetic foot treatment.
Diabetes and your feet
If you have diabetes, you know taking care of your feet is a priority. Diabetes can cause nerve damage — around half of people with diabetes experience it — and it often occurs in the extremities, particularly the feet. That means if you have a cut, sore, or another injury on your foot, you might not notice it because you can’t feel the pain or discomfort.
Not noticing problems with your feet can cause complications. Cuts and sores can become infected, as can ingrown toenails. That is why people with diabetes are urged to check their feet daily for injuries or signs of change.
Ingrown toenails and diabetes
An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows underneath the skin around it. It’s most likely to happen to your big toe, but it could happen to any. Trauma to the toe, poor nail trimming habits, and tight shoes can all lead to this problem.
Ingrown toenails might be painful and cause the skin around the toe to become swollen, red, and uncomfortable to touch. If it worsens, it could get infected. That can all happen very quickly — and without you realizing it — when you have both an ingrown toenail and diabetes.
If you don’t notice the infection, the toe could become gangrenous, which happens when the tissue around the nail dies due to lack of blood flow. Uncontrolled infection may require a toe amputation.
How our team can help
If you notice an ingrown toenail, you might be tempted to simply cut it back. But that isn’t a good idea, especially if you have diabetes. Because your feet are vulnerable to infection, you need to seek professional help.
Our team can quickly discover if you are dealing with an infection or an early-stage ingrown nail. We can also determine the best and quickest treatment, whether it’s antibiotics to clear up the infection, debridement to remove any dead or dying tissue, or surgery to remove the nail.
Get help immediately
Don’t try to treat an ingrown toenail on your own, especially if you have diabetes. Let us help you find the best treatment, so you’ll feel better quickly.
Our Arizona clinics offer treatment for ingrown toenails that take your other health concerns into account. Call or book online to make an appointment today.
