And how do I prevent ingrowing toenails?
Ingrowing Toenails: A Painful Problem
Have you ever had a toe injury? Then you will know how exquisitely painful toes can be. They have a lot of nerve endings and just the smallest thing can feel really bad! You know how tender papercuts on fingers can be, so small yet so annoying. Imagine something like that on a toe!
Ingrowing toenails (or ingrown toenails) can be a painful and irritating condition. They affect many people and are one of the most common problems podiatrists see. Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a toenail curves or breaks, and a portion or spicule of the nail pierces and grows into the surrounding skin causing a wound. The portion of nail then sits there irritating the wound (like a splinter would) so it is unable to heal. Ingrown toenails often cause discomfort, redness, and can become infected if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner.
What causes ingrown toenails?
Several factors can contribute to ingrown toenails, including:
Improper toenail trimming: Cutting toenails too short, or down the sides leading to sharp spikes, can increase the risk of ingrowing nails.
Tight-fitting shoes: Wearing shoes that are too narrow or tight can put pressure on the toes and force the nails to grow into the skin.
Injuries: Trauma to the toe, such as a stubbed toe or a sporting injury, can lead to ingrown toenails.
Certain medical conditions: For example those which cause swelling of the feet can make you more susceptible to ingrown toenails.
Sweaty feet: Damp skin is softer making it easier for the nail to break the skin. This is most common in adolescence.
Fungal Infection: Fungal nail infection can cause deformity, thickening or crumbling of the nail which can all increase the likelihood of ingrowing nails.
Medications: Some medications increase the likelihood of ingrowing nails eg isotretinoin (used for acne)
Genetics: The shape of your nails can be hereditary: very curved or fan shaped nails can easily ingrow.
Symptoms of ingrown toenails
Common symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:
Pain or tenderness in the affected toe
Redness and swelling around the toenail
A bump of skin near the toenail
A blister or drainage of pus from the affected area
Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, weeping, throbbing, feeling unwell
NB not all painful toenails are ingrowing toenails. Nails can be tender and troublesome for other reasons such as:
a corn or callus underneath, or down the side of the nail
a verruca under the edge of the nail
a thick or deformed nail due to trauma, dermatological conditions or fungal infections.
incorrectly fitting footwear or hosiery
injury
extra bone growth on one of the bones of the toe known as an exostosis
Treatment for ingrown toenails
In very mild cases, home treatment may be sufficient to treat ingrown toenails. These may include:
Soaking the affected toe in warm, salty water once or twice a day
Applying a applying a sterile protective dressing
Wearing shoes which do not press on the toe
True ingrowing toenails rarely resolve without professional treatment to remove the sliver of nail causing the problem. So if the ingrown toenail is persistent, inflamed or causing significant pain, you need to see a podiatrist who could recommend:
Removing the offending portion of nail
Applying specialised wound dressings
Provision of antibiotics to treat infection if present
In severe cases, surgical removal of the edge of the nail or, in some cases the entire toenail. More details about this procedure can be found here
Preventing ingrown toenails
To reduce your risk of ingrown toenails, follow these tips:
Cut your toenails straight across and avoid rounding the corners - simply file to remove any sharp edges
Wear shoes that fit properly and provide ample toe room
Treat any injuries to your toes promptly
See a podiatrist if you have difficulty cutting your nails - they can do it for you or advise on the best way to manage your nails if they are an awkward shape.
By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for ingrown toenails, you can take steps to prevent and manage this painful condition.
If you have troublesome toenails get in touch today for help and advice about managing them long term. Not all ingrowing toenails need surgery so please don't panic. We will assess the situation and discuss all the treatment options so that you can decide the best way to proceed and become pain free!
Call 0161 427 4937 to book a consultation. Or email info@mrpodiatrist.co.uk