When a toenail grows inward instead of growing outward normally, it curves and grows into the skin. This irritates the skin and can cause pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness around the nail bed and sides of the nail. This painful condition of the toenail is known as onychocryptosis.
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can tear the skin exposing the skin to bacteria. This can lead to an infection that is marked by pus and bad odor. In severe cases, it may result in loss of the nail and painful swelling of the tip of the toes.
What are the causes of ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails are most commonly caused by trauma such as:
- Stubbing of the toe
- A heavy object falling on the toe
- Repeated pressure on the toes caused by the following:
- Long periods of running
- Shoes that are much smaller in size
- Shoes with high heels
Other causes are as follows:
- Familial tendency
- Improper cutting of nails
- Fungal infections
- Loss of nail in accidents
What is the treatment of ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails can often be treated at home initially. Here are a few self-care tips:
- Soak your foot in the water at room temperature. An over-the-counter Epsom salt powder that reduces the inflammation can be dissolved in the water.
- Use a topical antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage.
- Wear roomy footwear.
Few things to keep in mind:
- Do not cut the nail repeatedly as that can cause the condition to worsen over time.
- Over-the-counter creams that contain pain medications may just reduce the pain, but they do not treat the underlying problem.
If you suffer from health conditions such as diabetes, numbness of legs, or have problems in your blood circulation, you should consult the doctor before self-treating yourself.
After examining the toe, the foot and ankle surgeon or a dermatologist will decide the most appropriate treatment for you.
Antibiotics pills may be prescribed if you have developed an infection due to the ingrown nail.
The surgeon may perform a minor surgical procedure known as partial nail avulsion, in which the affected side of the nail is removed. A bandage will be applied to the wound, and you can go home on the same day of the procedure.
How can you prevent ingrown toenails?
It is easy to avoid getting an ingrown toenail. Here is what you should do:
- Soak the nails in water before cutting them
- Cut nails in a fairly straight line without rounding them at the top
- Do not cut the nails too short
- Do not tear the nails
- Wear proper-fitting shoes (neither too tight nor too loose)
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
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Learn how to treat an ingrown toenail and avoid them in the future.Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis)
Ingrown toenails are caused by the growth of the toenail into the surrounding nail fold. Symptoms and signs include toe pain, swelling, redness, and yellow drainage. Treatment at home involves soaking the affected foot in diluted white vinegar or Epsom salts, elevating the foot, and trimming the nails straight across. Surgery is also an option for severe cases. Prevent ingrown toenails by wearing shoes with a wider toe box and avoiding repeated injury to the toenails. Avoid curving or cutting the nails short at the edges.Ingrown Toenail Picture
A common disorder that occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin of the toe particularly on the big (great) toe. See a picture of Ingrown Toenail and learn more about the health topic.
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Ingrown toenails occur when the side corners of a toenail grow down into your skin and pierce the soft tissue. Soak your foot in lukewarm water with Epsom salts two or three times a day and massaging the skin afterwards may help draw out an ingrown toenail.