Ingrown toenails develop when an edge or corner of your nail grows into the skin next to the nail. Ingrown toenails mostly occur on the big toes. You are more prone to ingrown toenails pico robertson, beverly hills if you have sweaty feet. Older adults are also at a higher risk because aging leads to toenails thickening. In the early stages of ingrown toenails, the skin next to the injured nail becomes tender, swollen, or hard. You may also experience pain when pressure is exacted on the toe, or fluid can build up around the toe. If your nail becomes infected, you can have pain, bleeding, oozing pus, overgrowth of skin around your toe, and red and swollen skin.
Causes of ingrown toenails
Cutting toenails incorrectly: Cutting your toenails across can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
Footwear: Footwear that exacts too much pressure on your big toes, like too-tight socks and stockings or shoes that are too tight and narrow, can lead to ingrown toenails.
Injuries: Dropping heavy objects on your foot or stubbing your toe can lead to ingrown toenails.
Improper foot hygiene: Keeping your feet unclean or wet can lead to ingrown toenails.
Genetic factors: If you have a family history of ingrown nails, you will likely develop the problem.
Repeated activities: Sports activities like ballet, football, kickboxing, and soccer which involve repeatedly kicking an object or putting pressure on your feet, can cause toenail damage leading to ingrown toenails.
Treatment for ingrown toenails
Home treatments
You can treat your ingrown toenail at home if it is not infected. You can soak your feet in warm water for about fifteen to twenty minutes three to four times daily. Ensure the other times your shoes and feet are dry. Pushing skin away from the affected toenail edge with a cotton ball with olive oil can help. If you are experiencing pain, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen can help relieve the discomfort. To prevent infection, you can apply topical antibiotics like polymyxin and neomycin.
Surgery
There are various surgical procedures to treat ingrown toenails. These methods include
Partial nail removal
Partial nail removal only eliminates the nail piece digging into your skin. Your specialist numbs your toe and narrows the toenail. During the partial nail removal process, your surgeon cuts the sides of the affected nail so that the edges become fully straight. The surgeon then places a piece of cotton under the remaining portion of your nail to prevent the ingrown nail from recurring. Your surgeon may also use a compound known as phenol to keep the nail from growing back. Studies from NHS show that partial nail removal is ninety-eight percent effective for preventing ingrown toenails in the future,
Total nail removal
Your doctor may recommend total nail removal if your ingrown nail results from thickening. The surgery involves administering a local pain injection to the affected nail and then removing the entire nail in a process known as matrixectomy.
Ingrown toenails develop when an edge or corner of your nail grows into the skin next to the nails. Ingrown nails can result from cutting toenails incorrectly, improper footwear, injuries, or repeated activities. Schedule an appointment at Eazy Foot & Ankle for ingrown toenail treatment to relieve pain in your toe.
