Ingrown Toenails - Symptoms and Treatment

An ingrown toenail is a common condition in which the corner or side of one of your toenails grows into the soft flesh of your toe. The result is pain, redness, swelling and, sometimes, an infection. The condition usually affects your big toe. Ingrown toenails are known to physicians as onychocryptosis. They are common, painful conditions that occur when the skin on the side of a toenail grows over the edge of the nail, or when the nail grows into the skin.

Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenails may get red and infected, and feel very sore. Ingrown toenails are a common, painful condition--particularly among teenagers. Signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:

• Pain and tenderness in your toe along one or both sides of the nail
• Redness around your toenail
• Swelling of your toe around the nail
• Infection of the tissue around your toenail

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails result when the nail grows into the flesh of your toe, often the big toe. Common causes include:

• Wearing shoes that crowd your toenails
• Cutting your toenails too short or not straight across
• Injury to your toenail
• Unusually curved toenails
• Thickening of your toenails

Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

There are some alternatives to surgery, but in my opinion, surgery is the best because it prevents recurrence. Some other options include:

• Antibiotics are usually not prescribed for this problem because draining the abscess will take care of the infection.
• The toe will then be covered with ointment and gauze.
• Soaking in soapy water
• Putting cotton in the corner
• Regular professional trimming
• Soak the foot in warm water 4 times a day. You do not need to add soap or antibacterial agents to the water.
• Wash the foot including the affected area twice a day with soap and water. Keep the foot clean and dry during the rest of the day.
• Do not wear high heels or tight-fitting shoes. Consider wearing sandals, if appropriate, until the condition clears up.
• If no acute infection is found, then the nail will be elevated and conservative treatment recommended.

Prevention tips

• The best method of prevention is careful clipping of the toenails. Toenails should be clipped straight across—taking care to keep the end longer than the skin edge. This prevents the corners from digging into the skin. They should not be rounded or cut too short.
• Wear well-fitting shoes.
• Keep the feet clean and dry.

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