Foot health: What to do about an ingrown toenail

A warm bath and proper nail trimming can help however, it’s sometimes best to consult a specialist in foot care promptly.

The medical term used to describe the condition that is painful is called onychocryptosis. It usually occurs on the big toe when the nail’s corner is curved downwards and penetrates the skin. It can cause redness, swelling, soreness and even warmth. If the toenail is broken skin, bacteria could get into the nail and result in an infection. In time, the skin could begin to form over the ingrown area of your nail.

You can perform a number of procedures yourself to cure an ingrown nail. If you suspect infection or if you suffer from blood circulation issues, diabetes or numbness or pain in your feet take your time with the remedies at home and consult your physician or a foot surgeon immediately.

Preventing ingrown toenails

Wear shoes with low heels that offer enough space at the toes. Wear stockings or moisture-wicking socks that permit your toes to move without restriction.
Make sure your feet are well-maintained and dry.
Utilize a nail clipper (not a fingernail clipper). If your nails are particularly heavy, consider an instrument that is spring-loaded, referred to as toenail clippers.
Cut your toenails along the length of your foot, keeping in the direction that the top of the foot follows (see illustration) Do not cut the corners like you would with use a fingernail (see inset). Don’t cut your toenails too short. It should be possible to put your fingernail on the nail’s end.

What is the cause of an ingrown nail?

There are a variety of possibilities of causing the injury. Trauma is one of them. For example, you may stub your toe, drop something on it, or someone walks onto it. A loss of the toenail due to repeated pressure from activities, fungal infections or psoriasis could be the cause. Toenails that are curly or thick (nails tend to curvature more as they age) are especially susceptible to alopecia, and some sufferers are genetically inclined to develop problems with their nails. Unskillful nail trimming (cutting nails too long in the corners could be the cause.

The chance of developing ingrown toenails is increased by wearing footwear that is too narrow, too tight or are too long. As per the Dr. James Ioli, Chief of Podiatry at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, high heels for women are an extremely common cause of discomfort: “Increased heel height transfers the bulk of your body’s weight towards the front of your foot. Toes on the big side are also subjected to stress and deforming forces through the years because of wearing high heels, particularly when you wear them regularly for a prolonged period of time. Even if you don’t experience an issue right at the moment, you might be faced with one.”

Care for your home: Keep it simple

If your symptoms are not severe (the toe may be irritated and red, but it’s not painful or infected) and there isn’t a concomitant medical issue such as diabetes, you may begin at home and take gentle measures.

Soak your feet in lukewarm water twice or 3 times daily for about 15 minutes (count showers as an opportunity to soak). You can also add Epsom salts in the event that you like however there is no scientific evidence to support this. the relief of pain or speed up healing. Massage the skin along the top of the nail (the fold of the nail) by gently pulling them away from nail. After every soak, clean your feet completely. Use sandals or other low-heeled open-toed footwear whenever you can. If you are wearing closed-toed shoes be sure that your toebox (the part of the shoes that is on its front) gives room for the toes to freely move. If your toenail is growing out, cut it in a manner that mimics the curve of the toe’s tip Do not turn the corners downwards.

Procedures in the office

If your toenail is damaged or doesn’t improve in three-to five days’ treatment it is recommended to see a podiatrist , or any other foot-care specialist or dermatologist. You might need to take oral antibiotics to treat the infection. The doctor might need to take out the affected part of the nail.

If you are experiencing frequent ingrown toenails, more thorough removal of the nail may be necessary. In a procedure commonly used called a partial nail-avulsion the narrow horizontal strip of nail on the side affected (see the illustration earlier) is cut starting at the nail’s edge and ending at its base and then removed. The physician might also apply a substance known as”phenol” to nail tissue (the subcutaneous area which produces cells for nail growth) to stop nail growth. The toenail may be slightly smaller than it was before. The procedure is generally carried out in a clinic following a local anesthetic being in the toe.

Ingrown toenails: Surgery treatment

Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail pierces the skin leading to inflammation and an infection. The treatment may involve cutting off an elongated strip of nail starting at the nail’s edge and ending at the bottom of the nail and treating the nail’s matrix to stop the nail from growing back.

Following one of these procedures the nail bed that is exposed is treated with an antibiotic ointment , and then wrapped with a nonadherent nail dressing. (Bring an open-toed footwear or slipper to take to go home from the clinic.) The majority of people resume regular activities (wearing shoes with open toes) within one or two days. Ask your physician when you are able to return to strenuous exercise, such as exercising or jogging.