One of the most common problems in the foot are ingrown toenails, also coined as “pincer” or “incurvated” nails. They get their name from growing deep into the skin, or from their curved shape that might resemble pincers. In the medical community, ingrown toenails are referred to as “onychocryptosis.” Most people experience them at least once in their lifetime, and they can be quite painful. However, the symptoms can range from mild to severe. In some cases, they may only be a minor annoyance but when progressed or left untreated, they can be extremely painful and become infected.
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Symptoms
The most obvious and common symptom is pain at the corners or along the edges of the toenail. Sometimes the toenail might not even appear ingrown, but it is simply painful to the touch, and can be mistaken for something else due to an otherwise normal appearance. When they get more severe, the ingrown toenail will be a lot more obvious, with redness and swelling of skin along the border of the nail. If left alone for too long, infection can set in and there may be a white/yellow pus, reddened tissue seemingly growing over the nail, and significantly more pain.
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Causes
There are several different causes of ingrown nails. One common cause is cutting the toenails improperly. It is recommended to trim your nails straight across so that they do not grow into skin borders. When trimmed improperly, you can create a nail spike, which will dig into the skin as the nail continues to grow. The presence of ingrown toenails can also be dependent on activity, such as long hours on your feet, tight footwear, or even having flat feet. With flat feet, the arch can be lowered, causing the foot to roll onto the inside of the big toe and cause additional pressure on the nail borders. One of the most unfortunate causes of ingrown toenails is simply that it is genetic and they tend to grow that way naturally, either from birth, or damage to the nail bed.
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Treatment
The first step most people take when they have an ingrown toenail is to try and clip it out. However, the toe is the furthest part of the body that you can reach with your eyes and hands, so it can be difficult to see and maneuver around there. Improper “removal” can make the ingrown toenail even worse. It is best to see a professional, such as a Chiropodist or Footcare Nurse, before trying anything that can aggravate or infect the ingrowing nail. If an infection is already present, a Chiropodist can write a prescription for an antibiotic. There are a few home remedies that can be tried before coming in:
• Soaking the feet in epsom salts can reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
• Applying over-the-counter antibiotic cream (Polysporin) to keep the area clean.
• Packing cotton wisps (from a cotton ball) underneath the nail edge to relieve some pressure
