Fax: (239) 692-9436
Tel: 239-430-3668An ingrown toenail that keeps coming back — or one that has become infected — is not something to keep treating at home. A chronic ingrown nail can harbor a stubborn bacterial infection, and because the bone of the toe sits very close to the surface, an untreated infection can reach the bone. In diabetics or people with poor circulation, that chain of events can lead to serious infection or even amputation. These are extreme cases, but they are exactly why a recurring ingrown nail deserves a permanent fix.
Why Some Nails Keep Coming Back
Ingrown toenails have roughly a 50% hereditary factor — if curved or wide nails run in your family, you may be prone to them no matter how carefully you trim. When an ingrown nail recurs again and again on the same border, treating only the infection will not stop it. The permanent solution is to address the nail border itself.
The In-Office Procedure (Matrixectomy)
The fix is a quick, in-office procedure. Local anesthesia numbs the toe, the offending nail border is removed, and a chemical such as sodium hydroxide or phenol is applied to “kill” the root (matrix) so that the problem border does not grow back. The nail simply looks slightly narrower afterward. Most patients walk out comfortably and return to normal activity within a day or two.
You May Not Need Antibiotics
Many people don’t realize podiatrists provide this service. While antibiotics can calm an infection, removing the offending border often eliminates the source entirely and can avoid the need for oral antibiotics altogether. If you have a chronic or infected ingrown nail, see a podiatrist rather than reaching for repeated home remedies.
For more information or to schedule treatment with a board-certified foot and ankle specialist, call (239) 430-3668 (FOOT) or book online at NaplesPodiatrist.com.
Serving Southwest Florida since 2005, Family Foot & Leg Center has 9 convenient locations throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties — Naples, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota. We provide pediatric to geriatric foot and ankle care: ingrown toenails, heel pain, bunions, foot & ankle arthritis, plantar fasciitis, foot & ankle surgery, custom orthotics, and diabetic wound care — with in-office X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, and minor surgical suites. Home of the Lam Minimally Invasive No-Scar Bunion Surgery. Same-day appointments and easy online scheduling.
