Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails, technically referred to as onychocryptosis, is an often painful condition where the nail becomes wedged into the soft tissue of the toe often resulting in pain, redness, swelling and infection. These are all symptoms often associated with the condition however in some cases only mild discomfort is observed. Ingrown toenails are a very common condition that presents to a podiatry clinic. Males and females are equally likely to develop the problem and genetics plays a role in susceptibility. Whilst a lot of the time people are able to successfully treat ingrown toenails at home, those suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes or experience severe pain and/or infection should always seek the guidance of a podiatrist.
Common causes of ingrown nails
Ingrowing toenails can be caused by a varying number of factors. Some may work in conjunction while others may be standalone and enough to result in discomfort. Some common causes of ingrown toenails include:
Common treatments for ingrown nails
Most patients I have seen with ingrown nails, are able to be given relief with a simple resection (cutting) and removal of the ingrowing wedge of nail. Sometimes this can be done conservatively (partial nail clearing) or under a local anaesthetic in a procedure called a partial nail avulsion (PNA).
Many things can be done at home however to reduce not just the pain or an ingrowing nail, but also to help treat any existing infections that may have formed as a result. Some methods include:
Ingrowing toenails are painful enough to disrupt your day, but they do not need to. If you, or someone you know is suffering from ingrowing toenails, please contact us and let our experience guide you on the road to happy and healthy feet.
Common causes of ingrown nails
Ingrowing toenails can be caused by a varying number of factors. Some may work in conjunction while others may be standalone and enough to result in discomfort. Some common causes of ingrown toenails include:
- Wearing of tight, ill-fitting or narrow footwear.
- Nails edges are relatively fragile. Ill-fitting footwear such as heels, small toe boxed leather shoes or footwear worn a size too small, will put pressure on the edges of the nails forcing them to become wedged in the soft tissues of the toe.
- Incorrectly cutting of nails.
- Nails should be cut STRAIGHT ACROSS with sharp edges being filed. Cutting nails too short or down the sides (rounded edges) can live spikes unseen until they cause pain and have to be removed.
- Direct trauma to the nail.
- Naturally occurring elongated or twisted (involuted) nails.
- Visiting pedicure salons which may traumatise nails or incorrectly cut them.
Common treatments for ingrown nails
Most patients I have seen with ingrown nails, are able to be given relief with a simple resection (cutting) and removal of the ingrowing wedge of nail. Sometimes this can be done conservatively (partial nail clearing) or under a local anaesthetic in a procedure called a partial nail avulsion (PNA).
Many things can be done at home however to reduce not just the pain or an ingrowing nail, but also to help treat any existing infections that may have formed as a result. Some methods include:
- Bathing your feet in warm, salty water for 10 minutes daily (table salt is fine).
- Apply betadine, or other strong antiseptic lotion, to the sore edge daily.
- Nail packing technique using cotton wool.
- Avoid tight or ill-fitting footwear. If your current footwear is inappropriate for your feet, consider purchasing newer shoes with a deeper toe-box to enable more space and less pressure to form.
- If symptoms persist, see your doctor for a course of antibiotics and see a podiatrist for further assessment and advice on treatments that may be appropriate.
Ingrowing toenails are painful enough to disrupt your day, but they do not need to. If you, or someone you know is suffering from ingrowing toenails, please contact us and let our experience guide you on the road to happy and healthy feet.