An ingrown toenail is a common and painful condition that affects the toes, mostly the big toe. It occurs when the edge or corner of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing inflammation, infection, and discomfort. This blog post discusses ingrown toenails and its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
There are many factors that can contribute to the development of an ingrown toenail, such as:
Trauma: Stubbing your toe, dropping something on your toe, or injuring your toe during sports or other activities can damage the nail and cause it to grow into the skin.
Improper nail trimming: Cutting your toenails too short or at an angle can make them curve and dig into the skin. You should cut your toenails straight across and leave them slightly longer than the edge of your toe.
Tight footwear: Wearing shoes that are too tight, narrow, or pointed can put pressure on your toes and force the nail into the skin. You should wear shoes that fit well and have enough room for your toes to move.
Poor foot hygiene: Not washing your feet regularly or keeping them dry can increase the risk of infection and inflammation. You should wash your feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. You should also change your socks often and avoid wearing wet or dirty shoes.
Excessive sweating: Sweating a lot can make your feet moist and create a favorable environment for bacteria and fungi to grow. This can lead to infection and inflammation of the nail and the skin. You should use antiperspirant or powder on your feet to keep them dry.
Certain medications: Some drugs, such as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, can affect the growth and shape of your nails and make them more prone to ingrown toenails.
The most common signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail are:
Pain: You may feel pain or tenderness in the affected toe, especially when you touch it or put pressure on it.
Redness: The skin around the nail may become red and swollen due to inflammation.
Infection: The nail may pierce the skin and cause a wound that can get infected by bacteria or fungi. Signs of infection include pus, bleeding, foul odor, fever, and increased pain.
Granulation tissue: The body may try to heal the wound by producing granulation tissue, which is a soft pink tissue that covers the nail edge. However, this tissue can also get infected and cause more problems.
In order to diagnose an ingrown toenail, your doctor will examine your toe and discuss your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle habits, and take a sample of pus or tissue from the wound.
The treatment of an ingrown toenail depends on the severity of the condition and the presence of infection. Some of the common treatment options are:
A few home remedies may ease the pain and promote healing in mild cases. In addition to soaking your foot in warm water with salt or soap several times a day, applying antibiotic ointment or cream, taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, wearing loose-fitting shoes or sandals, and gently lifting the nail edge with alcohol-soaked cotton or floss, you should also try.
Medical treatment: If you have a moderate or severe case of the condition or if there is an infection, you may require medical treatment from a doctor or podiatrist. A nail avulsion may involve removing part or all of the nail, cutting away some of the surrounding skin (nail wedge resection), applying phenol to destroy a part of the nail root (nail matrixectomy), or using a laser to vaporize a portion of the nail root. In most cases, these procedures are performed under local anesthesia and may require dressing changes and follow-up visits.
Surgery: In rare cases, if other treatments fail or if you have recurrent ingrown toenails, you may need surgery to remove the entire nail and nail bed (nail excision). This is a permanent solution that prevents the nail from growing back. However, it may also affect the appearance and function of your toe.
The best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to take good care of your feet and nails. Some of the preventive measures are:
Trim your nails properly: Cut your nails straight across with a clean nail clipper and leave them slightly longer than the edge of your toe. Do not cut them too short or at an angle. Do not tear or rip your nails.
Wear comfortable shoes: Choose shoes that fit well and have enough room for your toes to move. Avoid shoes that are too tight, narrow, or pointed. Wear socks that are made of breathable material and change them often.
Maintain good foot hygiene: Wash your feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Use antiperspirant or powder on your feet to keep them dry. Avoid walking barefoot in public places where you may get injured or infected.
Check your feet regularly: Inspect your feet and nails for any signs of injury, infection, or ingrown toenails. If you notice any problems, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
