Q: What causes ingrown nails and how are they treated?

A: An ingrown toenail is a common condition in which a portion of nail presses into the skin, causing pain, redness and sometimes infection. In order to relieve the pressure and pain, it is often necessary to numb up the toe and temporarily remove the ingrown nail corner. There is a MINIMALLY painful way to give the shot, too! A permanent correction can be performed, if this is a recurring problem. Oral antibiotics are prescribed for any infection present. The recovery is typically two weeks and involves warm Epsom salt water soaking, cleaning the nail border and applying topical antibiotic ointment. The toe may be just a little sore for one to two days after the procedure.