Ingrown Toenail Removal

An ingrown toenail grows into the skin along the side of the toe, nearly always the big toe, causing pain, swelling and sometimes pus. At Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Hammerly in Spring Branch, Houston, we remove the ingrown part under local anesthesia during the visit itself, with no appointment needed.

Why does a nail grow in?

• Trimming it in a curve or too short at the corners.
• Tight or narrow-toed shoes, work boots included.
• A stubbed toe or someone stepping on it.
• Naturally curved nails, which can run in families.
• Feet that sweat all the time.

What's done during the procedure?

First the toe is examined to see how deep the nail has gone and whether it's infected. Then local anesthetic is injected at the base of the toe; it takes a few minutes to go fully numb. Once you can't feel it, only the side strip of nail digging into the skin is trimmed away and removed, and the rest stays. The groove is cleaned, a bandage goes on and, if there was infection, the medical team decides whether you need an antibiotic, which you can pick up at the clinic's pharmacy.

What does toe care look like once you're home?

Once home, keep your foot raised for a while. The next day you can wash the toe with warm water and soap, dry it well and put on a clean bandage. Wear open or roomy shoes while it heals. Come back if the pain gets worse instead of better, if pus appears or if redness creeps up your foot; we can also continue with wound care.

Which habits stop a repeat ingrown nail?

Trim toenails in a straight line, leaving the corners square and a little length past the skin. Wear socks that absorb sweat and shoes with room for your toes. If you have diabetes, don't try to cut an ingrown nail yourself: come in and have it checked.

If walking already hurts because of an ingrown nail, come to 8538 Hammerly Blvd Suite B and ask the front desk about the price.