That sharp jab in your shoe has a name
Whether it's skates on the ice, cleats on the pitch, or steel-toes on a 12-hour shift, your feet take a beating. Sometimes that beating shows up as a nail digging into the side of your toe with every single step. An ingrown toenail. Small problem. Big distraction. Let's fix it.
What's causing it
Tight gear. A nail trimmed wrong. A toe that took a hit during the game and never quite recovered. Add in the inside of a sweaty shoe on a 105-degree Vegas afternoon, and you've got the perfect setup for irritation, swelling, and a nail that just won't behave.
Home care: worth a shot
Warm soaks. Wider shoes for a few days. Keep it clean, keep it dry. For a mild case, that's often all it takes.
When it's not worth grinding through the pain
How do I know if it's infected? Redness that's spreading, swelling that won't quit, pus, or a toe that's hot to the touch. That's your body waving a red flag.
Should I just push through it? No. An ingrown toenail that's infected doesn't heal on its own; it gets worse. Playing on it, walking on it, or ignoring it just buys you a longer recovery.
What happens at the office? A quick in-office procedure to remove the offending edge of the nail. Most patients are back in their shoes, and back on the ice, the pitch, the field, or the court, faster than they expect.
Our team has seen it all and fixed it all, from a torn ACL to a nail that's been bugging you for two weeks straight. We move health in the right direction; no drama, just results.
Don't let a bad toenail bench you. Schedule with Eastern Podiatry today and get back in the game.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please talk with your provider about your specific foot and ankle health needs.