One of the most common causes for a child’s visit to the podiatrist is ingrown toenails. This is true for a variety of reasons. It’s usually caused by the toenail growing in broader than the nail bed. As the toenail develops, the sides of the nail dig into the flesh. The toenail will frequently be painless for years until it is inflamed or infected due to slight trauma, such as a stubbed toe or tight shoe.
Another cause of ingrown toenails in children is incorrect toenail trimming. Many children may slant their toenails into the skin, especially if the toenail or toe is bothering them. A sharp tip of nail will develop beneath the epidermis, resulting in a painful or infected ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails can also occur if children do not cut their toenails on a regular basis.
An ingrown toenail in a child should be examined as soon as possible by your Houston foot doctor. Antibiotics alone are ineffective, and attempting to be a “bathroom surgeon” would simply exacerbate the problem. Make an appointment with the foot doctor at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center right now.