An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, is a common condition that occurs when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe, most often the big toe. This usually causes symptoms like pain, redness, and swelling around the nail area. Most ingrown toenails can be taken care of at home by soaking the foot in warm water, wearing wide-toed shoes, and placing dental floss or cotton under the nail to help it grow above the skin edge. However, in severe cases where the toe becomes infected, it might require medical treatment such as antibiotics or possibly surgery to remove the ingrown part of the nail.
Causes of Ingrown toenail
Ingrown toenails are a common condition where the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe, causing pain, redness, and sometimes infection. There are several causes for ingrown toenails, including:
1. Improper Trimming: Cutting your nails too short, or cutting them at an angle, rather than straight across, can cause them to grow into the skin.
2. Tight Shoes: Shoes or socks that are too tight can squeeze the toes, causing the nail to grow into the surrounding tissue.
3. Foot Injuries: An injury to your toe, such as stubbing it, can cause an ingrown toenail to develop.
4. Natural Shape: Some people have toenails that curve or grow downwards naturally, increasing the risk of ingrowths.
5. Genetics: Some people may inherit a tendency to get ingrown toenails.
6. Poor Posture: Standing or walking in a certain way that puts pressure on the edges of your toes can push the skin against the nail.
Remember, if you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor circulation, you’re at greater risk of complications from an ingrown toenail. If you’re experiencing symptoms of an infection, such as increased pain, pus, redness or swelling, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
Risk Factors of Ingrown toenail
1. Poor Footwear Choices: Wearing tight shoes or high heels that force your toes in the front can cram your toes together, which might cause the nail to grow into the skin.
2. Improper Nail Care: Incorrectly cutting your toenails, particularly if you cut them too short or round the edges, can lead to ingrown toenails.
3. Trauma: Any injury to the toe, such as stubbing, can cause an ingrown toenail.
4. Genetics: If your family has a history of ingrown toenails, you’re more likely to experience them.
5. Toe Deformities: Certain toe deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes, can cause pressure on your toes and lead to ingrown toenails.
6. Age: Ingrown toenails are more common in teenagers and older adults, who might have thicker or harder nails.
7. Obesity: Being overweight can put pressure on your feet, which can lead to this condition.
8. Fungal Infection: This can cause the nail to grow thicker or wider than normal, making an ingrown nail more likely.
9. Diseases and Health Conditions: Conditions that affect your circulation, like diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, can make you more prone to ingrown toenails.
10. Sweaty Feet: People with sweaty feet are more likely to get ingrown toenails.
Not all these risk factors might directly cause an ingrown toenail but having these risk factors makes it more likely to experience them. It’s always a good idea to get regular foot exams if you have any of these risk factors.
Signs and Symptoms of Ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail, medically known as Onychocryptosis, is a common condition that typically affects the big toe, but can occur on any toenail. Here are the signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail:
1. Pain and Tenderness: The first sign is usually pain, tenderness, or discomfort, which tends to be stronger on one side of the toe. The area around the ingrown toenail is often sensitive to pressure.
2. Redness: As the condition progresses, redness may increase around the affected area. This is a sign of inflammation, which may be accompanied by warmth.
3. Swelling: The toe may become swollen and hard, which can make wearing shoes uncomfortable.
4. Pus or Infection: If an infection develops, there may be a yellow or white pus-filled spot. You may also notice a foul odor.
5. Overgrowth of Skin: In severe cases or untreated ingrown toenails, the skin around the sides of the toenail may start to grow over it.
6. Bleeding: Sometimes, there might be a little bleeding.
If symptoms persist or get worse (especially signs of infection), it’s important to consult with a medical professional or a podiatrist to get appropriate treatment. Avoid trying to self-treat severe cases to prevent potential complications.
Diagnosis Ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail, also medically known as onychocryptosis, is a common condition that occurs when the corner or edge of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe, typically on the big toe. This usually results in pain, redness, and swelling around the toenail. In some cases, this condition can lead to infection if left untreated. Ingrown toenails can be caused by various factors, including improperly trimmed nails (particularly if they are cut too short or the edges are rounded), ill-fitting shoes, an injury, or perhaps due to toenails that naturally curve in. High-risk individuals for ingrown toenails can include those with diabetes or other conditions that cause poor circulation. Treatment can range from home remedies like soaking the foot in warm water to medical treatments like paring down the nail or even surgical interventions for recurring or severe cases.
Treatment of Ingrown toenail
Treatment for an ingrown toenail can vary depending on how severe the issue is. However, there are several common types of treatments:
1. Home Care: If the ingrown toenail is not infected and is causing only minor discomfort, it can typically be managed with home care. Soak your foot in warm water mixed with salt several times a day and try to gently lift the corner of the nail that is ingrown to guide its growth outwards. It’s also vital to regularly change your socks and use over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary.
2. Non-surgical medical treatment: If home care fails, it might be necessary to consult a healthcare provider. They might use tools to gently lift the edge of your nail to help it grow above the skin edge and not into it, or insert a small piece of cotton under the nail to separate it from the skin it’s growing into.
3. Surgical treatment: In severe cases where the above treatments don’t work, or if the nail is repeatedly becoming ingrown, it may require surgical intervention. This often involves numbing the toe with anesthesia and then cutting away the edges of the toenail or removing the entire nail.
4. Antibiotics: If the toe becomes infected due to the ingrown toenail, antibiotics might be prescribed by your doctor.
Remember, self-care is important but it is always essential to visit a healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse.
It’s always best to avoid ingrown toenails by cutting toenails straight across, wearing shoes that fit properly, and keeping the feet clean and dry.
Medications commonly used for Ingrown toenail
Treatment of an ingrown toenail primarily focuses on relieving pain and reducing inflammation, with the secondary goal of preventing complications such as infection. There are several types of medications that may be used:
1. Topical antibiotics: Topical antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin or Polysporin might be recommended to help heal the skin around the toenail and prevent or treat minor infection.
2. Oral antibiotics: If the ingrown toenail becomes infected and is not responsive to topical treatment, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed, such as Amoxicillin or Cephalexin.
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
4. Topical pain relievers: Certain gels or creams, such as lidocaine, can be applied to the area for temporary pain relief.
5. Nail softeners: Some doctors may recommend a specialized nail softening cream (example: urea cream) that can help reduce the hardness of the nail, making it easier to lift and trim.
If your ingrown toenail is severe or recurrent, your physician may suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the portion of the nail that’s ingrown. If an infection is present, these procedures may include numbing the toe with an anesthetic beforehand. Remember, always consult a healthcare provider before starting any medication.
Prevention of Ingrown toenail
Ingrown toenails can be painful and uncomfortable. Here are some ways to prevent them:
1. Proper Nail Trimming: Incorrect nail trimming is one of the major causes of ingrown toenails. Trim your nails straight across, not shorter on the sides than in the middle, and not too short.
2. Appropriate Footwear: Wear shoes and socks that do not crowd your toes. Shoes should be comfortable with enough space for your toes. Tight shoes and high heels can exacerbate the problem by putting constant pressure on the toenails.
3. Foot Hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry, as this can prevent a variety of foot problems including ingrown toenails.
4. Avoid Trauma: Try not to injure your toe, either from direct impacts or repetitive stress (like kicking or dropping objects on your toes). This can lead to ingrown toenails.
5. Don’t pick or tear at your toenails. Such actions can cause them to grow improperly into the toe’s skin.
6. Don’t cut into the corners of your toenail, this just encourages it to grow into the skin.
If you experience repeated issues with ingrown toenails or if they’re leading to more serious infections, it’s a good idea to seek professional care, perhaps from a podiatrist or dermatologist.
FAQ’s about Ingrown toenail
1. What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when a portion of the nail penetrates into the skin around it, causing discomfort, redness, swelling and often infection. It is most common on the big toe.
2. What causes an ingrown toenail?
Common causes include improper nail trimming, tight or narrow shoes, injury, fungal infections, or heredity. In many people, it’s due to the natural shape of the toenail that makes it prone to become ingrown.
3. What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?
Symptoms include pain along the margins of the nail, worsening of pain when wearing tight footwear, inflammation of the skin along the margin of the nail, pus discharge from the site, and overgrowth of the skin around the nail.
4. How is an ingrown toenail treated?
Ingrown toenails can be treated at home by soaking the foot in warm water, using over-the-counter pain relievers, and wearing open-toed shoes. If home treatments do not relieve the condition, or if it’s severe, it might require surgical intervention. The procedure involves numbing the toe, removing the offending portion of the nail and potentially the underlying tissue, and applying a mild acid to prevent the nail from growing back.
5. Can an ingrown toenail be prevented?
You can minimize the risk of getting an ingrown toenail by trimming your nails straight across, avoiding trimming them too short, keeping feet clean and dry, and not wearing footwear that’s too tight.
6. Is ingrown toenail a serious condition?
While an ingrown toenail might be painful, it’s usually not serious. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to the bones beneath, which can be a serious complication, especially for people with diabetes or other conditions that cause poor circulation.
7. Should I remove an ingrown toenail myself?
If your ingrown toenail is mild, you can try some home remedies such as soaking your feet and using cotton to gently lift the nail. But if you see signs of infection, it’s best to avoid self-treatment and consult a healthcare professional. Unsuccessful self-treatment can make the condition worse.
Useful links
An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, is a common condition in which the corners or sides of a toenail grow into the soft flesh of the nail groove, causing pain, redness, and swelling.
Research and treatment options can be found in the following journals:
Important Note: Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice. Journal articles are primarily intended for research and reference purposes.
Complications of Ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail, medically termed as onychocryptosis, occurs when the edges or corners of a toenail grow into the soft tissue of the toe, usually the big toe. While it might seem to be a minor issue, it can bring about several complications if not treated promptly or appropriately.
1. Infection: One of the most common complications of an ingrown toenail is infection. If the ingrown toenail breaks the skin, bacteria can enter and cause an infection. Signs of infection include increased pain, pus, redness, swelling, and sometimes, a fever. In severe cases, the infection may spread to the underlying bone, leading to a serious bone infection.
2. Abscess: In severe or chronic infections, an abscess could form in the area around the ingrown toenail. An abscess is a painful collection of pus that needs to be drained.
3. Cellulitis: If the infection spreads, it can lead to cellulitis, a skin infection that can spread fast. This can become a serious condition if not treated promptly.
4. Nail Deformity: Repeatedly having ingrown toenails may lead to permanent deformity of the nail. The nail may become thicker or wider.
5. Complications for people with diabetes: People with diabetes may experience more severe complications as they may not feel the initial pain due to nerve damage, and wounds tend to heal more slowly. Developing a minor foot injury, such as a corn, callus, blister, or ingrown toenail, can turn into sores (ulcers) or serious infections more readily. It can lead to serious complications like foot ulcers, bone infection, and Gangrene if left untreated.
These complications are reasons it’s important to take care of your feet and see a doctor promptly if you have an ingrown toenail or other foot problems. Treatment can prevent further complications, and early intervention usually results in better outcomes.
Home remedies of Ingrown toenail
Ingrown toenails can be painful and inconvenient. Here are few home remedies you may try:
1. Soak in Warm Water: Soaking your foot in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day can help. Adding Epsom salts to the water may provide extra relief.
2. Wear Comfortable Shoes: Choosing shoes and socks with a lot of room can reduce pressure on the ingrown toenail.
3. Use Cotton Wedge Under the Nail: After soaking, put a small cotton ball or piece of dental floss under the edge of the nail to help it grow away from the skin.
4. Apply Antibiotic Ointment: Apply over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and a bandage to help prevent infection.
5. Take Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers: Nonprescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen can help manage pain.
6. Elevate the foot: Keep the affected foot elevated to reduce any swelling or discomfort.
Remember, these remedies can provide temporary relief, but if you notice redness, increased swelling, or drainage of pus or blood, you should seek immediate medical attention as these could be signs of an infection.
Editorial Team