SCHOLL Ingrowing Toenails

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Improper trimming: One of the biggest reasons people have problems with ingrown toenails is because they round the toenail when they trim it. If you cut the corners off the front of your toenail, as the dead cells are pushed forward, they will burrow into the nail folds and cause pain and possibly infection. For the most basic painful and irritable ingrowing toenail, the offending spike of nail will be removed and the toe covered with an antiseptic dressing Before you are seen by a podiatrist, you can relieve the discomfort by bathing your foot in a salty footbath which helps to prevent infection and reduces inflammation. Then apply a clean sterile dressing, especially if you have a discharge, and rest your foot as much as possible. Wash and dry your feet regularly. Remove calluses from clean feet with a pumice stone or foot file. Remove dirt under the nails with a nail cleaner.

The downside is for some individuals it can take as long as 6 to 12 months to be effective. After nail growth has been corrected, improper trimming, constrictive footwear, or repeated actions can cause the problem to return. A toenail is made up of keratin, the same protein as hair. The cells of a toenail are constantly growing in an area called the nail matrix that’s by the cuticle, located under the lunula (the white half-moon shape). As these cells multiply, the old ones get pushed up and forward. By the time these cells are visible, they’re dead, which is why it doesn’t hurt to trim your nails. Nail clipper/nipper/scissors: If you don’t already own a nail clipper, nipper, or scissors, look for a toenail correction kit that has one or more of these devices. If you don’t keep your toenails properly trimmed, you’ll eventually wind up with problems. While most people use a nail clipper, nail scissors produce a cleaner cut. The next best option is a nail nipper because it’s a far more versatile tool than a clipper.

An ingrowing toenail is where a piece of nail pierces the flesh of the toe. It can feel as if you have a splinter, and be extremely painful and inflamed or infected. In more severe cases, it can cause pus and bleeding. Ingrowing toenails most commonly affect the big toenail, but can affect the other toes too. A nail that is curling (involuted or convoluted) into the flesh, but isn’t actually piercing the skin, isn't an ingrowing toenail but can feel very painful and can also appear red and inflamed. What causes it? A. When the edge or corner of a toenail (usually on the big toe) grows into the skin surrounding the nail, you have an ingrown toenail. You’ll likely first notice an ingrown toenail because it’s uncomfortable. The skin around the nail may be swollen, tender, red, or hard. As the condition advances, the pain will intensify, possibly making it hard to wear shoes or walk. The area surrounding the toenail may even begin to bleed or ooze pus. An ingrown toenail won’t go away on its own, so you must take action to remedy the situation. With the proper tools and procedures, most ingrown toenails can be treated at home. Q. What causes an ingrown toenail?

Firstly, learn to cut your nails properly. Nail cutters aren’t a good idea because the curved cutting edge can cut the flesh, and nail scissors can slip. It’s best to use nail nippers (available from chemists) because they have a smaller cutting blade but a longer handle. Cut your nails straight across and don’t cut too low at the edge or down the side. The corner of the nail should be visible above the skin. Also, cut them after a bath or shower when the nail is much softer. In some instances when poor hygiene is ruled out, repeated fungal infections in the toenail may be a symptom of an underlying health condition such as poor circulation or diabetes. Key considerations Toenail 101 One of the biggest reasons at-home nail treatment is unsuccessful is because it takes months of daily diligence to correct a growth problem and many people simply neglect caring for their toes over time. FAQ Q. What is an ingrown toenail? If you have diabetes, are taking steroids or are on anti-coagulants, don’t attempt to cut your nails or remove an ingrowing spikes of nail yourself. When should I see a podiatrist?

FAQ

However, not everyone identifies an ingrowing toenail correctly. Sometimes, they have a curly nail which has a lot of debris (dirt or fluff) underneath it or a corn or callus down the side of the nail, which can be just as painful. However, if it’s a corn, you tend to experience a throbbing pain as opposed to the sharp pain you get with an ingrowing toenail. If this is the case, your podiatrist will remove the debris, and, if necessary, thin the nail. Is it serious?

Less common is a fungal infection or in some cases particular types of medication, for example isotretinoin. Who gets it? For involuted nails, part of the nail that is curling into the flesh is removed and then the edges of the nail are filed to a smooth surfaceYou should see a podiatrist urgently if you have symptoms of infection, and also have diabetes, poor circulation or a reduced immune system. You should also visit a podiatrist if you experience any persistent pain in your toe from the ingrowing nail or have a condition that affects the nerves and/or feeling in your foot. Constrictive footwear: Footwear that is too tight around the toes applies pressure to the toenails. Again, as dead cells are pushed forward, they conform to the pressure and grow in the direction of least resistance, which is often up or into the nail folds.

Repeated activity: Any activity where you are constantly impacting the edge of the toenail may eventually cause that toenail to grow unnaturally. If you experience any foot care issues that do not resolve themselves naturally or through routine foot care within three weeks, you should seek the help of a healthcare professional.For toes too painful to touch, a local anaesthetic will be injected before removing the offending portion of nail