SERVICES · INGROWN TOENAILS
Ingrown toenail treatment in Denton, TX
An ingrown toenail can turn every step into a sharp reminder. Denton podiatrist Dr. David J. Barber, DPM offers gentle, effective relief — from simple at-home solutions for chronic cases to a quick in-office procedure for severe or infected nails.
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the nail — most often the big toe — grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it. This causes pain, redness, and swelling, and if bacteria get in it can lead to infection. Tight shoes, curved nail trimming, injury, and inherited nail shape all make ingrown nails more likely.
Signs to watch for
See a podiatrist if you notice:
- Pain or tenderness along the side of the nail
- Redness or swelling around the nail edge
- Warmth, drainage, or pus (a sign of infection)
- A nail that repeatedly digs in and flares up
Relief for chronic ingrown nails — without surgery
For chronic ingrown nails that aren’t swollen, red, or draining, surgery often isn’t necessary. The pain comes and goes with pressure, and a urea-based solution is the most effective at-home fix — it softens the nail and the thickened skin around it. Look for at least 40% urea; Dr. Barber recommends a 47% urea solution with tea tree oil, menthol, eucalyptus oil, and camphor (available at the practice). Applied twice daily for about a week, it clears up most chronic ingrown nails.
Every case is different, so it’s worth a quick evaluation to confirm the right approach for you.
In-office treatment for severe or infected nails
When a toenail is badly ingrown, infected, or keeps coming back, Dr. Barber can perform a quick, minimally uncomfortable in-office procedure to remove the offending portion of the nail and relieve the pressure. Self-pay ingrown nail surgery is $350, which includes one follow-up visit — with clear, upfront pricing and no surprises.
Preventing ingrown toenails
A few habits keep ingrown nails from coming back:
- Trim nails straight across — avoid rounding the corners
- Don’t cut nails too short
- Wear shoes and socks that give your toes room
- Keep feet clean and dry
- See a podiatrist early if a nail starts to dig in
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ingrown toenail questions, answered
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WHAT PATIENTS SAY
Trusted by patients across Denton County
“Dr. Barber is patient, kind, and very professional. He has definitely improved my quality of life by taking care of the pain in my feet. I highly recommend him.”
Verified patient review
Healthgrades
“The best experience I have ever had at any healthcare facility. Dr. Barber is knowledgeable, transparent, and super personal — I could not recommend him enough!”
Verified patient review
Yelp
“He showed deep concern for his patients’ wellbeing and spent more than the necessary time to fully discuss and disclose the path forward. Highly recommend.”
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Nextdoor
Dr. David J. Barber, DPM
Board-certified podiatrist (American Board of Podiatric Medicine). He provides gentle, lasting relief for painful and recurring ingrown toenails.
Book an appointment →Ready for relief from that painful toe?
Get gentle, effective ingrown toenail care from Dr. Barber. Call or book your appointment today.