Not as long as you might think! And this is a good thing. At Wilks Advanced Foot Care, patients with ingrown toenails are usually seen within 48 hours. Whether the pain started yesterday or has been building for weeks, prompt treatment stops the cycle of discomfort, swelling, and infection. You don’t need to suffer. Here’s why it’s essential to receive prompt professional care for an ingrown toenail and how our skilled podiatry team can help.
Why Does It Matter to Get Fast Treatment for Ingrown Toenails?
The underlying cause of onychocryptocosis—the medical term for this condition—might be genetic, injury-related, or the result of improper trimming. But, waiting too long to treat an ingrown toenail isn’t just painful. It makes the problem harder to fix and increases your risk of infection. Even slight redness can turn into:
- Localized infection. You’ll know because the skin around the nail may become warm and tender, swell, or ooze pus.
- Spreading infection. In some cases, bacteria travel into deeper tissues or bones.
- Tissue overgrowth. The skin may begin to grow over the edge of the nail, making treatment more difficult.
- Chronic recurrence. Without treatment, the problem may return repeatedly—or never fully heal.
While mild issues with ingrown toenails can be treated with a warm salt water soak, that’s really about it. Otherwise, the American Podiatric Medical Association doesn’t recommend home care—such as trying to clip the affected nail yourself or using over-the-counter treatments— particularly for people with chronic health conditions, especially if you have diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or peripheral arterial disease.
What Is Onyfix—and Why Do Our Patients Love It?
Dr. Jason Wilks—a skilled Douglas County foot doctor who founded Wilks Advanced Foot Care in 1999—believes that not every ingrown toenail needs surgery. In fact, many can be corrected painlessly with Onyfix—a gentle, nail-correcting system that works like a tiny brace for your toenail. Applied in our Roseburg office with no needles, no cutting, and no recovery time, Onyfix slowly reshapes the nail as it grows.
Here’s why he might recommend it for you when you schedule an appointment as soon as you notice a problem:
- Safe for all ages. Onyfix is ideal for children, seniors, and people with sensitive skin.
- Prevents recurrence. By training the nail to grow straight, Onyfix helps stop future problems.
- No downtime. You can walk out of your appointment and go back to your day.
Another key benefit? Our Patients feel nothing while Onyfix is applied.
Other Ingrown Toenail Treatment Options We Offer
Ingrown toenails don’t always look—or feel—the same. Some curve slightly and cause more irritation in tight shoes. Others dig in deep, swell with infection, or grow repeatedly into the skin. That’s why no single treatment works for everyone. If Onyfix isn’t the best fit for your situation, Wilks Advanced Foot Care offers safe, effective alternatives for skin and nail care tailored to your specific needs.
- Padding and offloading. Temporary pain relief options are available for mild cases or when surgery isn’t appropriate.
- Partial nail removal. For severe or infected ingrown nails, we may gently remove the offending corner under local anesthesia.
- Matrixectomy. In recurring cases, we'll remove the root of the nail edge to prevent regrowth.
Ingrown Toenail Relief Is Just a Phone Call Away
Foot pain has a way of disrupting everything—from your ability to work and drive to how confidently you move through your day. When it’s caused by an ingrown toenail, even simple activities like putting on shoes can feel like a struggle. But you don’t have to push through the discomfort or hope it goes away on its own. If you’re in Douglas County and struggling with an ingrown toenail, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call today and take the first step toward pain-free walking.
At Wilks Advanced Foot Care, we make it a priority to see ingrown toenail patients within 48 hours—because no one should have to live in pain waiting for care. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and deliver care that’s as comfortable as it is effective.