Ingrown toenail; causes and treatments

Ingrown Toenail; Causes and Treatments 

An ingrown toenail develops when the corner of the nail grows into the flesh. It can lead to complications in some people. Continue reading below to learn more about this common condition.

Causes

An ingrown toenail can develop for a variety of reasons. One common cause is cutting the nail incorrectly. Cutting the nails, so they curve around to match the shape of the toes may promote growth into the skin.

Wearing shoes that are too tight may also cause pressure against the nail, which leads to growth into the tissue. Trauma to a toe can also lead to an ingrown toenail. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to ingrown nails.

Symptoms

As the edge of the nail digs into the soft flesh on the sides of the toe, it leads to irritation. Although any toe can be affected, the big toe is the most common site. Typical symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:

• Pain around the nail
• Redness around the toenail
• Swelling of the tissue around the toenail

In some cases, the ingrown nail leads to a crack or cut in the skin. Bacteria can enter into the cut and cause an infection. People with certain types of medical conditions, such as diabetes, are more likely to develop a complication from an ingrown toenail than others.

Treatment 

In many cases, an ingrown toenail does not require any medical intervention and heals on its own. If the toe does not show any signs of infection, such as swelling or pus oozing from the nail, home remedies may help. Consider the following suggestions:

Soak the toe: Soak the affected toe in warm water for about 20 minutes several times a day. This may help decrease discomfort and speed healing.

Apply a topical antibiotic ointment: Apply an antibacterial ointment, which may decrease the risk of infection. Antibacterial ointments are available over the counter.  

When to see a podiatrist 

At-home remedies may not work in every case. It may be necessary to see a podiatrist in the following instances:

• Home remedies did not work
• Pain worsens
• Signs of an infection are present
• Difficulty walking due to pain from the nail
• Ingrown toenails are recurrent

Treatment 

If home remedies do not work, a podiatrist can help with treatment, including: 

Lifting the nail 

If an ingrown toenail is painful but not infected, the podiatrist may consider lifting the edge of the nail and placing cotton underneath it. This helps the nail grow above the skin. Although you can attempt to lift the nail at home, some people prefer to see a podiatrist to have this performed.

Surgery 

Different types of surgery may be performed to treat an ingrown nail. For example, partial removal of the nail involves removing the piece that is cutting into the skin, causing irritation. Numbing medication is often administered prior to the procedure.  

If ingrown toenails continue to be a problem on the same toe, surgery may involve removing more of the nail and treating part of the root.

Prevention

There are a few things you can do to prevent an ingrown toenail, including the following:

Cut the toenails straight across: According to Harvard Medical School,  the best way to decrease the risk of an ingrown toenail is by cutting the toenail straight as opposed to cutting the nail to follow the shape of the toe.

See a podiatrist:  If you have diabetes or any condition that interferes with blood flow, it may be best to have a podiatrist trim your nails since you are at an increased risk of complications from an ingrown toenail.

Wear properly fitting shoes: Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight, which might contribute to the development of ingrown nails. 

If you have symptoms of an ingrown toenail, consider seeing a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact podiatrist, Sheldon Nadal, D.P.M at Bayview Medical Centre.

Call us at 416-486-9917