Ingrown toenails have borders or sides that dig painfully into the skin, often causing redness, swelling, or infections. These issues typically affect the big toe, but any toe can develop an ingrown nail. At Alpine Foot Specialists in Lake Zurich, we treat ingrown toenails quickly and carefully — especially important for patients with diabetes or poor circulation who face higher risk of complications. Checking your feet daily is vital if you have underlying health conditions.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include redness, swelling, drainage, and pain on either side of the nail. Most often, ingrown toenails result from improper nail trimming, but they can also be caused by shoe pressure, injury to the toenail, fungal infection, unusually curved nails, or poor foot structure.
To reduce the risk of developing an ingrown toenail:
Trim your toenails straight across, not curved to match the shape of your toe. If you get a pedicure, ensure nails are cut straight.
Keep your toenails at the correct length — nails that are too short can cause pressure on the toe, pushing the nail into the skin.
Wear shoes that fit properly and aren’t too tight near the toes. Proper shoe fit reduces pressure and irritation.
If you work in environments that risk toe injury, wear protective footwear such as boots or steel-toed shoes to protect your toes from trauma.
If an ingrown toenail becomes infected or painful, treatment is available at our Lake Zurich office. We perform trimming and drainage under sterile conditions, using local anesthesia for comfort. For chronic or frequently recurring ingrown nails, we may recommend permanent removal of the problematic nail border while preserving the rest of the nail. Patients often walk and resume normal activities immediately after treatment.
If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, do not wait. Contact Alpine Foot Specialists today — our team offers fast, professional care to relieve pain and prevent future complications.
Dr. Gurrera offers the OnyFix painless nail correction system as a conservative, non-surgical option for certain ingrown toenails. OnyFix works by gently guiding the nail to grow in a healthier, straighter position over time, reducing pressure on the surrounding skin and helping relieve pain and inflammation. This treatment is completely non-invasive and does not require injections or removal of the nail. OnyFix is ideal for patients seeking a gentle correction method or for those who may not be candidates for surgical treatment. Dr. Gurrera will evaluate your toenail and determine if OnyFix is the appropriate solution for your condition.
