Items filtered by date: June 2025

It starts with a little pinch. Maybe your shoe felt tight, or you stubbed your toe. A couple of days go by, and your toe is red, a little swollen, maybe even painful to the touch. You assume it’s nothing serious, so you grab a pair of clippers, try to cut the corner out, and hope for the best.

But days later, the pain gets worse. The redness spreads. You notice drainage, and maybe even a bad smell. What was a small annoyance now has you limping—and possibly facing an infection that could have been avoided with professional care.

At Fairfield County Foot Surgeons, we’ve seen this story play out over and over again. That’s why we’re here to tell you: don’t try to fix your ingrown toenail at home. It’s not just painful—it can be dangerous.

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. This causes inflammation, pain, and eventually infection.

It typically affects the big toe but can happen on any toe. Some of the most common causes include:

• Trimming your toenails too short or at an angle
  
  
• Wearing tight or poorly fitting shoes
  
  
• Injuring your toe during sports or daily activity
  
  
• Genetic factors that cause naturally curved nails
  
  
• Repeated pressure on the toes, such as from running or ballet
  
  

Why Home Remedies Make Things Worse

Let’s be real—most people aren’t using sterilized surgical instruments or assessing skin condition before cutting. They’re using bathroom clippers or scissors and hoping to "dig it out."

But here’s what really happens:

1. You Create a Bigger Wound

Digging into the nail bed can rip the skin or create deeper openings for bacteria to enter.

2. You Introduce Bacteria

Even if the tools look clean, they’re not sterile. One wrong snip and you’ve created the perfect entry point for infection.

3. You Make It Worse

Improper cutting techniques usually leave a sharp edge under the skin, worsening the ingrown and causing more pain.

4. You Delay Proper Care

By the time patients come into our office, the nail is deeply embedded, and they’re dealing with infection, drainage, and in some cases—bone involvement.

Signs of a Serious Ingrown Toenail

While some ingrown toenails are minor, others require immediate professional attention. If you experience any of the following, it’s time to make an appointment:

• Severe pain or throbbing around the toenail
  
  
• Swelling or redness that’s spreading
  
  
• Pus or drainage
  
  
• Foul odor from the toe
  
  
• Difficulty walking due to pain
  
  
• Fever (in rare, advanced cases)
  
  

For individuals with diabetes, poor circulation, or weakened immune systems, even a mild ingrown toenail can spiral out of control quickly.

How We Help at Fairfield County Foot Surgeons

When you come to our office, we examine the toe to assess how deep the nail has embedded, whether there’s infection, and whether you’ve had this issue before.

Based on what we find, we may:

• Gently lift the nail and place a splint under it
  
  
• Remove the edge of the nail that is causing the problem
  
  
• In recurrent cases, remove part of the nail root to prevent future issues
  
  

These procedures are done under local anesthesia and are quick, clean, and safe.

You’ll be back on your feet fast—and without the risk of home-based complications.

Can an Ingrown Toenail Be Life-Threatening?

It may sound extreme, but in rare cases—especially for diabetic patients—an infected ingrown toenail can lead to serious complications like:

• Deep tissue infection
  
  
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
  
  
• Cellulitis
  
  
• Hospitalization for IV antibiotics
  
  
• Amputation
  
  

This is why early, professional intervention is so important.

Tips to Prevent Ingrown Toenails

Preventing future ingrown nails is entirely possible with a few changes:

• Trim nails straight across—don’t round the corners
  
  
• Keep nails at a moderate length—don’t cut them too short
  
  
• Wear shoes that give your toes room to move
  
  
• Don’t pick at your nails or try to dig them out
  
  
• Monitor foot health daily if you have diabetes or circulation issues
  
  

Don’t Wait Until It Hurts to Walk

If your toe is painful, swollen, or looks infected, it’s time to stop guessing and start healing. You don’t have to suffer through the pain—or make things worse with home remedies.

Contact us today by clicking here to schedule your visit with Fairfield County Foot Surgeons in Norwalk, CT. Let us take care of it safely and effectively, so you can get back to walking without pain.

Living with diabetes comes with a long list of responsibilities. From monitoring your blood sugar to managing your medications and keeping a healthy diet, there’s a lot to juggle. But one area that often gets overlooked—and can have serious consequences—is foot care.

At Fairfield County Foot Surgeons in Norwalk, CT, we see the consequences every day when diabetic patients neglect their feet or wait too long to seek expert help. It often starts with something small—a blister, a callus, a sore spot that goes unnoticed. But before they know it, what could have been handled early has turned into something much worse.

In this blog, we’re going to walk you through why diabetic foot care should never be ignored, what happens when you don’t seek help, and how you can stay ahead of potentially life-altering complications.

Why Are Diabetic Feet at Risk?

Diabetes affects many parts of the body, but your feet are especially vulnerable due to two key complications: neuropathy and poor circulation.

1. Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves in your feet. This means you may not feel pain, heat, or cold the same way as someone without diabetes. You could develop a sore or blister and not even realize it because you don't feel the usual warning signs.

That’s a big problem—because if you can’t feel the injury, you won’t treat it. That untreated wound can quickly become infected, open the door for bacteria, and lead to deeper issues.

2. Reduced Blood Flow (Peripheral Artery Disease)

Diabetes also causes your blood vessels to narrow and harden, reducing blood flow—especially to your legs and feet. With poor circulation, it becomes much harder for your body to heal even the smallest cut. So what should have been a minor issue can linger and become a major medical problem.

These two issues create the perfect storm. Without sensation to feel an injury and without circulation to heal it, your feet become a silent danger zone.

The Dangerous Progression: From Blister to Amputation

Here’s how a common scenario unfolds:

• A patient develops a blister from a tight shoe.
  
  
• Because of neuropathy, they don’t feel the discomfort.
  
  
• The blister pops, and they keep walking on it.
  
  
• Bacteria enter the open wound.
  
  
• The area becomes red, swollen, and begins to smell.
  
  
• By the time they realize something is wrong, the infection has progressed to the point that the toe or foot is at risk.
  
  

This is not an exaggeration—foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in people with diabetes. And most of those amputations could have been avoided with preventive care and early intervention.

Signs You Should Never Ignore

If you have diabetes, these warning signs should never be brushed off:

• Cuts or sores that don't heal within a few days
  
  
• Swelling or redness around a wound
  
  
• Warm spots on the foot, especially when compared to the other foot
  
  
• Drainage in your socks or shoes
  
  
• Skin discoloration (red, blue, black)
  
  
• A foul odor from your feet
  
  
• Pain, even if mild
  
  
• Tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation
  
  

Even if you're unsure if something is serious, it's better to let a podiatrist take a look.

The Power of Preventive Diabetic Foot Care

As a diabetic, your best defense is being proactive. At Fairfield County Foot Surgeons, we don’t wait for a crisis. We work with patients every day to protect their feet and avoid complications. Preventive foot care includes:

Daily Self-Checks

Look at your feet every day. Check for cuts, blisters, swelling, or discoloration. If you can’t see the bottom of your feet, use a mirror or ask for help.

Proper Foot Hygiene

Wash your feet with warm water and mild soap. Dry them completely—especially between your toes. Use a good moisturizing lotion on the heels but avoid putting lotion between the toes.

Smart Nail Trimming

Always cut your nails straight across and file the edges. Never dig into the corners. Trying to remove your own corns or calluses? That’s a common mistake. One small slip and you can cause an open wound.

The Right Footwear

Choose comfortable, properly fitting shoes. Avoid walking barefoot—even inside your home. Look for shoes made specifically for diabetic feet. Our office can help recommend what’s best for your needs.

Regular Podiatrist Visits

This one is key. If you’re diabetic, a podiatrist should be part of your healthcare team. We check for early signs of trouble, monitor your circulation and nerve function, and make sure your feet are staying healthy.

What We Do at Fairfield County Foot Surgeons

When you come to our office, you’re not just getting a foot exam. You’re getting a customized care plan from professionals who specialize in diabetic foot care.

We assess your foot structure, nerve sensation, blood flow, and any areas of concern. If something is brewing under the surface, we can catch it early—before it becomes an emergency.

We also handle corns, calluses, pressure points, ingrown toenails, and skin changes. We can prescribe custom orthotics to reduce friction and prevent future problems.

Our goal is simple: keep you on your feet. No infections. No complications. No surgeries. Just healthy feet and peace of mind.

The Cost of Waiting Too Long

Let’s be honest—most people don’t call a specialist until the problem becomes unbearable. But with diabetes, waiting is dangerous. The longer you delay, the more likely you are to face serious issues, including:

• Chronic foot infections
  
  
• Severe ulceration
  
  
• Hospital stays for intravenous antibiotics
  
  
• Surgical procedures
  
  
• Amputation of toes, feet, or legs
  
  

In some cases, complications from foot infections can even be life-threatening. It’s not about being dramatic—it’s about being realistic.

You Deserve Better Foot Health

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Whether you’ve had diabetes for years or you were just diagnosed, now is the time to take control of your foot health.

Contact us today by clicking here to schedule your diabetic foot evaluation at Fairfield County Foot Surgeons in Norwalk, CT. We’ll walk with you every step of the way.