An ingrown toenail is a common condition, for both men and women. It happens when the corner or side of one of your toenails grows into the soft flesh of that toe. It usually affects one of your big toes and if not taken care of properly can lead to pain, redness, swelling and sometimes infection. This usually happens when the toenail breaks the skin and bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Sometimes, skin may start to grow over the ingrown part of the nail.
Many people with ingrown toenails take care of the condition by themselves. Warm soaks and proper nail trimming may be what's needed, but sometimes it's best to see a foot specialist when you first feel the pain and the pressure. If the pain is severe or it's spreading, a podiatrist can usually relieve your discomfort and help you avoid more complications of an ingrown toenail.
If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor circulation to your feet, my suggestion is that you go directly to your doctor rather than take any risk for more complications.
The 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
There are many reasons why ingrown toenails develop some of which are congenital. For instance, your toenails may be too large. People whose toenails curl under are also prone to the condition. Stubbing a toe or having a toe stepped on or some other trauma can cause a piece of the nail to jam into the skin. High heels are also a problem because the heel transfers most of your body weight toward the front of the foot. This puts more pressure on the big toe and often deforms them over the years. This can also lead to ingrown toenails.
However, the most common cause is cutting your toenails incorrectly causing them to re-grow into the skin. Tight hosiery or shoes with narrow toe boxes make matters worse.
In my next post home care for ingrown toenails and in-office procedures.
In the meantime, if you have had an ingrown toenail and some success at treating it at home, let us know what you did. Scroll down to comments and type your home remedy in the comment box so we can share it with our readers.
To your well balance mind and body.
Ruthan Brodsky
Great Post. A Podiatrist will examine your toe/toe nail and advise you on the treatment he/she thinks would be suitable for your needs. If you suffer from ingrowning toenails, often the podiatrist will be able to cut your nails so they are more comfortable for you. This should reduce your pain and discomfort for a while, but they will return once the nail has regrown.
Posted by: Manchester's Ingrown Toenail Clinic | December 21, 2009 at 07:50 AM