INGROWN TOENAIL TREATMENT

Relief for Painful & Infected Toenails

Ingrown toenails are a common but painful condition where the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, triggering redness, swelling, and, in many cases, infection. At her Upper East Side Manhattan practice, Dr. Krista Archer offers expert diagnosis and treatment for ingrown toenails, helping patients quickly relieve pain and prevent dangerous complications.

What Are Ingrown Toenails?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail edge pierces into the skin, causing the body to treat it like a foreign object. This leads to:

• Redness, swelling, and tenderness

• Drainage, pus, and signs of infection

• In advanced cases, numbness can develop as the infection worsens

• Severe, untreated cases may develop a granuloma (large fleshy growth over the nail plate) or even osteomyelitis (infection of the underlying bone)

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

• Improper nail trimming, especially cutting or tearing into the corners of the nail

• Trauma or injury to the toe

• Genetic predisposition or abnormal nail curvature

• Tight or ill-fitting shoes that compress the toes

• Improper pedicures or salon treatments

• Sports or activities that place repetitive stress on the toenail

• Occasionally, chemotherapy treatments may cause nail changes leading to ingrown toenails

Dr. Krista Archer’s Approach to Ingrown Toenail Treatment

Conservative Treatments (For Early or Mild Cases):

• Careful, in-office trimming of the affected nail edge

• Warm soaks and topical treatments to reduce swelling and infection risk

• Shoe recommendations to reduce pressure on the nail

Advanced Treatments (For Moderate to Severe Cases):

• Partial nail removal under local anesthesia to safely remove the embedded portion of the nail

• Oral antibiotics if infection is present or severe

• Surgical nail procedures (matrixectomy) to prevent recurrence for patients with chronic ingrown toenail problems

Why Choose Dr. Archer for Ingrown Toenail Care in NYC?

As a board-certified podiatric surgeon with cosmetic expertise, Dr. Archer offers both medical and aesthetic-focused toenail care, ensuring your treatment not only resolves pain and infection—but leaves your toe looking as natural and healthy as possible.