What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail is a condition where the leading edge of the nail grows into the adjacent skin, usually along the nail borders. The nail digs in to the adjacent skin causing irritation, redness, and swelling. This may progress to the point that a break develops in the skin, possibly resulting in an infection.

What Causes in the Ingrown Toenail?
Ingrown toenails can develop for a variety of reasons:

inherited tendencies

acute trauma

repeated trauma

deformed nail

tight shoes

fungal nails

Treatment
Sometimes initial treatment for ingrown nails can be safely performed at home. Home treatment is discouraged if you suspect an infection. Often the leading edge of the nail can be trimmed to relieve symptoms. If this does not alleviate symptoms, professional care is most appropriate.

Professional Treatment
If the condition is mild, simply cutting the nail properly may alleviate symptoms. If the area is infected, your toe may need to be numbed so that the offending portion of the nail can be removed.

If the condition tends to recur, there is a permanent solution. Once again the toe needs to be numbed. The offending portion of nail is then removed and a chemical is used to destroy the cells producing that portion of the nail. This treatment results in the offending portion of nail never growing back. This procedure is extremely effective with a high degree of patient satisfaction and minimal discomfort postoperatively.