Ingrown Toenail Removal

The edge of the big toenail digs into the skin, it hurts to walk, it swells and sometimes oozes. An ingrown toenail does not fix itself once it is infected. At Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Pasadena it is treated under local anesthesia, with no appointment, and you walk out relieved the same day.

Why does the nail grow in?

From cutting it too short or rounding the corners, from narrow or pointed shoes, from a blow, from naturally curved nails and from heavy sweating that softens the skin. It is more common in teenagers and young adults, and in people with diabetes it is more dangerous because the infection advances fast and heals worse.

When can it be treated at home, and when not?

If there is only mild redness and no pus, soaking the foot in warm salt water for 15 minutes two or three times a day, gently lifting the edge with a bit of cotton and wearing open shoes helps. If there is pus, growing swelling, pain that keeps you from walking, or you have diabetes or poor circulation, do not wait: treatment at the clinic is needed.

What is the procedure like?

The toe is numbed with two small injections at the base; from then on there is no pain. The physician lifts and removes the ingrown portion of the nail, cleans the inflamed tissue and drains pus if present. It takes 15 to 30 minutes. When the problem keeps coming back, the root of that edge can be treated so it does not grow again, which the physician decides case by case. It is covered with a dressing and you walk out in loose footwear.

What care is needed afterward?

Keep the foot elevated the rest of the day, change the dressing daily after washing with soap and water, wear open or roomy shoes for one or two weeks and take the pain reliever prescribed. If an antibiotic was prescribed, finish it. Return in a week for a check, or sooner if pain, redness or fever increase. The nail grows back over several months.

How do I keep it from coming back?

Cut the nail straight across, without rounding the corners, and not too short; wear shoes with room for the toes; keep your feet dry; and if you play sports, check that the shoe does not squeeze the tip. With diabetes, check your feet daily and come in for any wound.

How much does ingrown toenail treatment cost in Pasadena?

We give you the price by phone at (281) 747-8817. No health insurance is needed; we accept cash and cards.

What is the visit like?

Walk in from 9 AM to 9 PM in shoes you can take off easily. Bring your medication list and say if you take blood thinners or are allergic to local anesthesia. Follow-up is done under wound care; if you have diabetes, sugar control under chronic conditions is part of the treatment.

Medical center near you in Pasadena and Houston, TX

We are a Hispanic clinic in the Houston, TX area: we care for patients across Pasadena and South Houston, South Belt, Genoa, Sagemont, Galena Park, Deer Park, Hobby (Houston) and surrounding communities.