New Explanations for the cause of Ingrown Toenails

New Explanations for the cause of Ingrown Toenails

Pain comes in many forms but the pain caused by ingrown toenails can be so debilitating it can stop you in your tracks. On the bright side, recent research in a report printed on foxnews.com by Physicists, Cyril Rauch and Mohammed Cherkaoui-Rbati, working at the University of Nottingham in England, has shed some new light on ingrown toenails.

The results showed a correlation between the nail’s curvature and the rate of growth and adhesion. So, despite external causative factors like poor nail cutting, poor foot hygiene and footwear that cramps the toes, the underlying cause can be explained by physics. In another article on medicaldaily.com, Rauch said, “Physics…doesn’t differentiate between species, it’s all about stress and forces.”

Although this information may help podiatrists determine which nails are more likely to become ingrown and therefore offer preventative treatment for susceptible individuals, the main reason for the research was to see if the same findings could be applied to animals’ hoofs. Meanwhile, you are probably wondering if your nails will become ingrown.

In simplistic terms, the research has proven what has been assumed for a long time—big toenails that are curved at the edges are more likely to become ingrown. If you are guilty of any of the causes already listed, you are probably experiencing pain down one or both sides of your big toenail and, if the tissue around the nail is infected, your toe may be red and swollen.

Prevention is better than a cure so if you think you may be susceptible ingrown toenails, you should cut your nails straight across and wear shoes that don’t squeeze your toes. If you already have an ingrown toenail, you should seek treatment from a Podiatrist like Sheldon H. Nadal who will determine if the nail can be treated conservatively