Isla Bennett
Ingrown toenails are a common and painful condition, often affecting the big toe. They occur when the edge or corner of the toenail grows into the soft skin next to it. This can be caused by cutting toenails too short, incorrect trimming, tight-fitting shoes, severe toe injuries, or diabetes-related complications. Ingrown toenails can lead to inflammation, swelling, and infection. Treatment options range from home remedies, such as soaking the affected area in warm saltwater, to surgical procedures like partial or complete nail removal. Proper nail care, including trimming nails straight across, is essential to prevent ingrown toenails and their associated complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingrown toenail | When the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh |
| Causes | Cutting toenails too short, rounding the corners, ripping the nail, wearing shoes that are too short, toe injuries, repeated activities like kicking a soccer ball |
| Symptoms | Pain, inflammation, swelling, infection |
| Treatment | Soak the foot in warm water 3-4 times daily, keep the foot dry, place cotton or dental floss under the toenail, use antibiotics, partial or complete nail removal surgery |
| Prevention | Keep toenails at a moderate length, trim toenails straight across |
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What You'll Learn
Keep toenails at a moderate length
Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft skin around the nail. This can lead to pain, swelling, and inflammation of the skin. In some cases, ingrown toenails can become infected due to the bacteria present on the feet and in shoes.
To prevent ingrown toenails, it is important to maintain proper nail care habits. One of the most important habits is to keep toenails at a moderate length. Trimming toenails too short is a common cause of ingrown toenails. When nails are cut too short, the skin on the sides can cover the corners of the nail, directing the nail to grow into the tissue. Therefore, it is recommended to trim toenails so that they are even with the tips of the toes. This helps prevent the nail from being forced into the flesh by the pressure of shoes.
It is also important to avoid rounding the corners of the toenails when trimming. Nails that are cut or ripped in a rounded shape tend to become ingrown because they lack clear corners. Instead, toenails should be cut straight across. This helps ensure that the corners of the nail do not grow into the surrounding skin.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid shoes that are too tight or short. Ill-fitting shoes can cause pressure on the toes, which may direct the nail to grow into the soft skin. Choosing shoes that provide adequate room for the toes can help prevent ingrown toenails.
By following these nail care tips, individuals can help prevent ingrown toenails and the associated discomfort and potential complications. Keeping toenails at a moderate length and shape is a key aspect of proper nail care and can help maintain healthy and pain-free feet.
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Avoid cutting toenails too short
Ingrown toenails are a common condition, particularly among teenagers, and they can be very painful. They occur when the toenail grows into the soft skin around the nail, causing pain, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes infection. Cutting toenails too short is the most common cause of ingrown toenails. When the nails are cut too short, the skin on the sides can cover the corners of the nail, causing the nail to grow back into the skin. Nails that are ripped or cut into a rounded shape are also more likely to become ingrown because they lack clearly defined corners.
To avoid cutting your toenails too short, it is recommended that you trim your toenails so they are even with the tips of your toes. This will prevent the pressure from your shoes on your toes from directing the nail to grow into the tissue. It is also important to cut your nails straight across, avoiding tapering or rounding the corners.
If you have diabetes, it is especially important to avoid cutting your toenails too short, as complications can be severe. Diabetes can cause poor blood flow and nerve damage in the feet, which means that even a minor injury, such as an ingrown toenail, may not heal properly and can become infected.
If you do develop an ingrown toenail, there are several home remedies you can try. Soaking your foot in warm water 3 to 4 times a day and keeping it dry the rest of the time can help. You can also gently lift the edge of the ingrown toenail and place a small piece of cotton or waxed dental floss between the nail and your skin. This will help the nail grow above the edge of the skin. However, if home remedies are not effective, or if you are in severe pain or the infection keeps coming back, you should see a healthcare provider for further treatment options.
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Don't round the corners
Ingrown toenails are a common condition, particularly among teenagers, and can be very painful. They occur when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh around the nail. This can cause inflammation, swelling, pain and infection. Ingrown toenails can be caused by cutting toenails too short, allowing the skin on the sides to cover the corners of the nail and causing the nail to grow back into the skin.
Rounding the corners of your toenails when cutting them can also lead to ingrown toenails. Nails that are rounded at the corners tend to become ingrown because they don't have clear corners. Instead, toenails should be cut so they are even with the tips of the toes. If you cut your nails too short, the pressure from your shoes on your toes may also direct the nail to grow into the tissue.
If you have an ingrown toenail, you can treat it at home by gently lifting the edge of the nail and placing a small piece of cotton or waxed dental floss between the nail and your skin. This will help the nail grow above the skin edge. You should change the cotton or floss daily. Soaking the foot in warm water 3 to 4 times a day and keeping it dry for the rest of the time can also help.
If home remedies do not work, your healthcare provider may recommend lifting the nail and placing cotton, dental floss or a splint under it. This will separate the nail from the skin and help the nail grow above the skin edge, usually in 2 to 12 weeks. For more severe cases of ingrown toenails, your healthcare provider may partially or completely remove the nail.
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Place cotton or dental floss under the nail
Ingrown toenails are a common condition that occurs when the corner of your toenail grows into your skin. This usually happens when people cut their toenails by rounding the corners. If you have an ingrown toenail, you can try placing cotton or dental floss under your toenail to prevent it from growing into your skin.
Firstly, soak your foot in a mixture of cool to warm water and Epsom salt for 15-30 minutes twice a day. This will help soften the toenail and prevent infection. Then, using disinfected tweezers, gently lift the corner of the ingrown toenail. If the nail bed looks swollen or red, do not attempt this treatment and see a doctor instead.
Next, place a small piece of cotton or waxed dental floss under the nail, separating the nail from the skin. You can apply an antiseptic ointment, such as Neosporin, to the cotton or floss before placing it under the nail. This will help the nail grow above the skin edge. Change the cotton or floss daily to reduce the risk of infection.
Finally, give your toe some air and avoid wearing socks or shoes when you're at home. With this treatment, your ingrown toenail should grow out within a few weeks. However, if home remedies do not help, consult a healthcare provider for other treatment options.
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Surgical removal
Ingrown toenails are a common condition, but in severe cases, surgical intervention may be required. Surgical treatments are generally reserved for recurrent and painful cases of ingrown toenails, or for patients who have not responded to non-surgical treatments.
- The Winograd technique, which uses a surgical curette to remove the germinal matrix and nail bed.
- Vandenbos procedure.
- Chemical matricectomy, which uses chemicals such as phenol or sodium hydroxide to destroy the nail matrix.
- Radiofrequency ablation.
- Carbon dioxide laser ablation.
- Zadik's procedure.
- Howard-Dubois procedure.
- Super U procedure.
- Noël’s procedure.
- Knot technique.
- Toenail paronychium flap.
The choice of procedure depends on the severity and recurrence of the ingrown toenail. Some techniques, such as the Winograd technique, are designed to be minimally invasive, swift, and highly effective, resulting in heightened patient satisfaction. Other techniques, such as chemical matricectomy, may have a higher recurrence rate and lower cosmetic satisfaction.
After the surgery, patients can expect a slight discharge as the body cleanses the nail bed. This discharge should occur as the site improves in appearance. However, increasing discharge and inflammation may indicate infection or incomplete removal of the nail fragments. Patients may need to change dressings daily for several days following the procedure and apply antibiotic ointment to promote healing and prevent infection.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent ingrown toenails, cut your toenails straight across, leaving enough length so that the corners are not tucked down into the skin.
Toenails grow into the skin when the corner of the toenail is cut too short or rounded, causing the nail to curve with the shape of the toe. Tight-fitting shoes can also cause toenails to grow into the surrounding skin.
If your toenail is growing into the skin, relieve the pressure by placing a piece of dry cotton under the corner of the nail. Apply antibiotic cream to the irritated area twice a day to prevent infection. If the pain continues or worsens, consult a doctor.
