Ingrown Toenail
Ingrown toenail is a condition in which the nail curves and grows into the surrounding skin. The intrusion of the nail into the skin causes pain, redness, warmth, and sometimes infection. Infection of the ingrown toenail is often accompanied by drainage and foul odor. Ingrown toenails will often recur without proper treatment.
Cause:
There are many causes of ingrown toenails including
Treatment:
Early stages of ingrown toenail may be treated conservatively. This includes soaking the foot in room temperature water, with added Epsom salt. Gently massaging the side of the nail to reduce inflammation.
Avoid the attempt of removing or resecting the nail border at home. This type of “bathroom surgery” can often worsen the condition, leaving the nail jagged, which can cause further irritation to the surrounding skin.
If signs of infection, including drainage, mal-door, redness, warmth are noted, please see your foot and ankle specialist.
Minor surgical procedures including partial nail avulsion (removal of the offending nail border), or complete nail avulsion (complete removal of the nail) can be done for lasting effect. However, there remains the risk of recurrence. In the presence of infection, antibiotics can be prescribed as well. Patients must finish the full course of the antibiotics that was prescribed.
Post-Surgical Procedure:
Following the procedure, a light dressing will be placed over the procedure site. Most people experience mild to moderate amount of pain after the procedure. Reduce activity for the day and resume normal activity the next day. You may be instructed to soak your foot to allow drainage of the procedure site after a few days. Make sure to keep the procedure site dry after soaking.
Preventative Measures:
Ingrown toenail is a condition in which the nail curves and grows into the surrounding skin. The intrusion of the nail into the skin causes pain, redness, warmth, and sometimes infection. Infection of the ingrown toenail is often accompanied by drainage and foul odor. Ingrown toenails will often recur without proper treatment.
Cause:
There are many causes of ingrown toenails including
- Heredity. In many people, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited.
- Trauma. Sometimes an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running.
- Improper trimming. The most common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short. This encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail.
- Improperly sized footwear. Ingrown toenails can result from wearing socks and shoes that are tight or short.
- Nail conditions. Ingrown toenails can be caused by nail problems, such as fungal infections or losing a nail due to trauma.
Treatment:
Early stages of ingrown toenail may be treated conservatively. This includes soaking the foot in room temperature water, with added Epsom salt. Gently massaging the side of the nail to reduce inflammation.
Avoid the attempt of removing or resecting the nail border at home. This type of “bathroom surgery” can often worsen the condition, leaving the nail jagged, which can cause further irritation to the surrounding skin.
If signs of infection, including drainage, mal-door, redness, warmth are noted, please see your foot and ankle specialist.
Minor surgical procedures including partial nail avulsion (removal of the offending nail border), or complete nail avulsion (complete removal of the nail) can be done for lasting effect. However, there remains the risk of recurrence. In the presence of infection, antibiotics can be prescribed as well. Patients must finish the full course of the antibiotics that was prescribed.
Post-Surgical Procedure:
Following the procedure, a light dressing will be placed over the procedure site. Most people experience mild to moderate amount of pain after the procedure. Reduce activity for the day and resume normal activity the next day. You may be instructed to soak your foot to allow drainage of the procedure site after a few days. Make sure to keep the procedure site dry after soaking.
Preventative Measures:
- Do not cut a notch in the nail. Contrary to what some people believe, this does not reduce the tendency for the nail to curve downward.
- Do not repeatedly trim nail borders. Repeated trimming does not change the way the nail grows and can make the condition worse.
- Do not place cotton under the nail. Not only does this not relieve the pain, it provides a place for harmful bacteria to grow, resulting in infection.
- Over-the-counter medications are ineffective. Topical medications may mask the pain, but they do not correct the underlying problem.