Ingrown Toenails Are Serious With Diabetes

If you've experienced an ingrown toenail, you know it's frustrating and painful. However, if you struggle with ingrown toenails in Avon, CT and you also have diabetes, it could lead to serious complications. Learn more about diabetes and an ingrown toenail by discussing the issue with Dr. Richard Grayson and the team at Avon Podiatry Associates today.

Diabetes and Foot Problems

An ingrown toenail – or any foot problem – combined with diabetes can lead to serious problems. Neuropathy, which is a condition that causes you to lose sensitivity in your feet, is linked to diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels damage nerves, especially in your feet.

So, what this means for ingrown toenails in Avon, CT. is you may not know you have an ingrown toenail. A reduction in foot sensitivity often leaves ingrown toenails unnoticed. For many people, they don't know until their toes are red, swollen or infected.

People with diabetes are especially susceptible to infections anywhere on their bodies. Most diabetics experience poor blood circulation and aren't able to fight off infections as well as a healthy person. And, a person with diabetes along with foot issues may not know they have an infection until it's too late. The bottom line is you may not feel the pain an ingrown toenail causes due to complications from diabetes.

Frequently Inspect Your Feet

Podiatrists recommend that you inspect your feet carefully every day if you have diabetes. Inspect your feet for cuts, redness, swelling, blisters or corns, – and pay close attention to the toenail borders. If you see any redness, swelling or the surrounding area feels extra sensitive or painful, you may be developing an ingrown toenail.

Treating An Ingrown Toenail

An experienced podiatrist like Dr. Grayson can easily treat an ingrown toenail. Fortunately, most cases heal with some effective at-home treatments like soaking your toe in warm water a few times a day. Unfortunately, some cases require the doctor to remove the part of the toenail that grew into your skin. You can also prevent ingrown toenails by cutting your nails straight across instead of cutting them at an angle.

To learn more about why ingrown toenails in Avon, CT and diabetes are a potentially serious combination, contact Dr. Grayson and our team at Avon Podiatry Associates by calling (860) 677-7733 today.