Caryn Klapholz has been suffering from stage five kidney disease and while they would like to keep her off of dialysis her worsening condition can only be reduced with a transplant. Klapholz’s problems first began with an ingrown toenail. Five years ago when she tried to remove the nail herself, it quickly became infected; which then turned into a more serious bacterial infection. With the help of gallons of antibiotics every day, she survived, but not without internal damage to her body. “We’re at the point where we known Caryn’s only good quality of life and literally survival is organ transplant.” her husband stated.
Ingrown toenails can be an easy fix if treated properly. If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, contact Dr. Zahid Ladha of Foot First Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Improper nail cutting such cutting it too short or not straight across
- Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
- Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
- Genetic predisposition
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in New Albany, NY. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.