Care for painful, infected, or recurring ingrown toenails, evaluated and treated by a trusted local podiatry team.
Whether it's your first ingrown toenail or one that keeps coming back, Knox Foot and Ankle can help you find relief.An ingrown toenail can turn a small daily annoyance into real pain, especially when it becomes swollen, infected, or keeps coming back no matter what you try at home. Knox Foot and Ankle provides evaluation and treatment for ingrown toenails of every kind, from a first-time occurrence to a chronic, recurring problem.
Care is led by Dr. Abshan Malik, DPM, the lead doctor at Knox Foot and Ankle, who evaluates each case individually to determine the most appropriate, least invasive path to relief.
An ingrown toenail happens when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of straight out over it. This can cause irritation, pressure, and, in many cases, a noticeable amount of pain.
Common symptoms include:
Ingrown toenails can develop for a number of reasons, including:
Consider scheduling an appointment if you're experiencing:
Treatment for an ingrown toenail depends on how severe it is and whether it's a first-time or recurring issue. Options may include:
Some procedures are designed to help reduce the likelihood of recurrence, though we can't promise a permanent result for every patient, Dr. Malik will walk you through what makes sense for your specific situation.
We understand that in-office procedures can feel intimidating, so here's a general idea of what's involved:
We can't promise a completely painless experience or a specific healing timeline, but our goal is to make the process as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
Watch for these warning signs, which may indicate an infection:
If you've dealt with the same ingrown toenail more than once, you're not alone, recurrence is common and can be related to:
If this sounds familiar, Dr. Malik can evaluate whether a more definitive nail border procedure may be an appropriate option to help reduce how often the problem returns.
Children and teens can develop ingrown toenails too, often from sports, tight shoes, nail-trimming habits, or a toe injury. If your child is complaining of toe pain or you've noticed redness or swelling, early treatment can help prevent the discomfort from worsening or turning into an infection. Our team aims to keep visits calm and reassuring for younger patients.
Diabetes can reduce sensation and circulation in the feet, which means a seemingly small nail problem can become more serious if it's ignored. Diabetic patients should avoid digging into the nail at home and should seek prompt podiatry evaluation for any redness, drainage, wounds, or signs of infection near the toenail.
Learn More About Diabetic Foot Care →
Clear explanations, attentive care, and an experience centered around the patient.
“I've had an ingrown toenail for 3 years and have had it removed 4 times during the years, each time it grew back and never healed. I went and saw Dr. Malik and his awesome assistant, Summer and receptionist Kelly. Dr. Malik did the procedure and 2 weeks later I feel like this is the best decision I've made all year. I am now pain free and couldn't be happier.”Seth KesslerGOOGLE VERIFIED REVIEW
“We found this practice through an internet search. Turns out to be an outstanding choice.”R JGOOGLE VERIFIED REVIEW
“I had a quick, and pleasant experience.”Jaken MaxwellGOOGLE VERIFIED REVIEW
Whether it's your first painful ingrown toenail or one that just won't stay away, Knox Foot and Ankle is here to help you find relief. Schedule a visit today and let us take a look.
Knox Foot and Ankle · 2725 Asbury Rd, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37914 · (865) 329-3338A little more about ingrown toenail care at Knox Foot and Ankle.
If your ingrown toenail is painful, red, swollen, draining, or keeps coming back, it's a good time to schedule an evaluation, especially if home care hasn't helped.
Yes. We evaluate and treat infected ingrown toenails, which may include antibiotics or an in-office procedure depending on severity.
Yes. Most ingrown toenail procedures, including partial nail removal, can be performed right in our office.
Recurrence can be related to nail shape, repeated pressure, trimming habits, thickened or fungal nails, or incomplete prior treatment. A more definitive procedure may be an option for chronic cases.
Yes. Children and teens can develop ingrown toenails from sports, tight shoes, trimming habits, or injury, and early treatment can help prevent worsening symptoms.
Yes. Diabetic patients should avoid home treatment and seek prompt evaluation, since reduced sensation and circulation can allow small problems to become more serious.
Mild cases may improve with proper trimming and soaking, but persistent pain, infection, or diabetes-related concerns should be evaluated by a podiatrist rather than treated aggressively at home.
Trimming nails straight across, wearing properly fitted shoes, and addressing thickened or fungal nails early can all help reduce your risk.
You can call us at (865) 329-3338 or request an appointment online through our website.