Do You Have Problems With Ingrown Toenails?

Health Tips - What is an Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis) is a common disorder that occurs when the edge of the toe nail grows into the skin of the toe particularly the big (great) toe.

                                 

An Ingrown Toenail is usually in the corner of the toe and the nail curves down into the skin, often due to mis-trimming of the nail, or due to shoes that are too tight. 

                           

An Ingrown Toenail can be painful and lead to infection.

Ingrown Toenails are caused by:

•  The growth of the toenail into the surrounding nail fold
•  Bacteria
•  Fungi or other infections (Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas)
•  Candida and Trichophyton. 

Symptoms include toe pain, swelling, sore nails, and/or infection.

Signs of infection include:

• Enlarged areas of redness
• Red streak extending from the toe
• Signs of cellulitis (tissue infection)
• Swelling
• Marked redness
• Throbbing  and pain
• Yellow or green drainage from the wound

                                

If infection presents treatment is needed or the entire nail must be removed.

                           

People who are prone to Ingrown Toenails:

• Athletic adolescents and children
• Tight or narrow shoes (poorly fitted shoes)
• Repeat injury or trauma to feet
• Poor foot hygiene
• Poor posture or gait
• Congenital foot deformity
• Congenital toenail malformation
• Very long toes
• Naturally short nails
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Toenail infections
• Fungal nail disease
• Prior nail surgery
• Abnormal nail growths
• Arthritis
• Excessive foot sweating

Treatment of Ingrown Toenails can be done by simply removing the corner of the nail from the skin, or have it done by a doctor, podiatrist, or foot care specialist.

         

     

Mild ingrown toenails can be treated with soaking in warm water daily, avoid tight fitting shoes, elevating the foot, topical antibiotics (Neosporin), and pushing back the over grown skin away from the nail. 

Minor ingrown toenails can be treated by simply trimming back the protruding nail sliver or piece away from the nail fold.

More advanced  ingrown toenails can be treated with oral antibiotics, minor in-office procedure, or surgical procedures (nail matricectomy) aim to remove the embedded nail away from the toe tissue. 

Ingrown Toenail Do's:

• Wear wider toe shoes
• Avoid repeated injury to toenails
• Protect toes during sports
• Maintain good foot hygiene
• Cut toenails straight across
• Keep toenails trim and clean

                           


Ingrown Toenail Don'ts:

• Do not cut toenails in a curved pattern
• Do not over cut toenails at edges
• Do not wear narrow or poor-fitting shoes
• Do not let a toenail infection go too long
• Do not try to do home surgery or remove an embedded nail

It is important to see a physician for ingrown toenails that are very painful, infected, or not getting better after five to 10 days of home treatments. 

If you have a compromised immune system you need to see a physician immediately!

Healthy Feet

             

                


For more information go to www.MedicineNet.com, www.WebMD.com, www.ask.com

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Doc V