Ingrown toenails are one of the most common reasons why children visit a podiatrist. There are several reasons why this is true. Most of the time, it is due to the toenail growing in wider than the nail bed. This forces the sides of the toenail to dig into the skin as it grows. The toenail will often be painless for years until there is minor trauma, such as a stubbed toe or tight shoe, causes the area to inflame or become infected.

Other reasons for Houston kids to develop ingrown toenails is improperly trimming their toenails. Many children will angle the toenail into the skin, especially if the toenail or toe was becoming uncomfortable. This will cause a sharp point of nail to develop beneath the skin and cause a painful or infected ingrown toenail to form. Kids not trimming their toenails often enough can also cause the toenails to ingrow.

It is important that an ingrown toenail in a child be seen by your Houston foot doctor as soon as impossible. Antibiotics alone will not work effectively and trying to be a "bathroom surgeon" will only make it worse. Contact our Houston podiatry office for an immediate appointment.