Ingrown Toenail - Podiatrist in Parma, Rocky River, Independence, OH - Joseph Ripepi, DPM
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Podiatrist Dr. Joseph Ripepi of Ripepi Foot & Ankle Clinics discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments for Ingrown Toenail.

What’s the problem?
An ingrown nail occurs when a portion of a toenail on either of the toe turns downward into the skin. Nails normally are nearly flat, with just a slight arching downward at the borders. When the border of the nail is turned downward, it begins to injure the skin.

What can I do for it?
In mild cases, where no infection is present, pain relief can be obtained by applying a standard moisturizing cream to the nail edge and covering with a band-aid. This softens the hard skin and often provides temporary pain relief. In more advanced cases, where redness or obvious infection is present, seek the attention of a doctor.
What will my doctor do for it?
In the most minor cases, the podiatrist will simply cut the nail to shorten it, and show you how to cut the nail in the future, to prevent in growing of the nail again (See below for instructions on proper nail cutting). In more severe cases, but not those in which an infection hasn’t developed, the podiatrist may gently remove the ingrown portion of the nail. This affords considerable relief, but is temporary. After a few weeks, when the nail grows long again, it will again grow in. In cases where the nail has grown in repeatedly, or more critically, when the nail edge has penetrated the skin and caused an infection, the podiatrist will perform a minor procedure called an Ingrown Nail Correction or Matricectomy. The podiatrist will gently numb your toe, reshape the nail edge and finally, apply a medicine which will, in most cases, permanently prevent the nail edge from growing improperly again.
Can I prevent from it happening again? Cutting nails properly to prevent ingrown nails.




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