Ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenail or onychocryptosis is a fairly common and recurrent foot condition. This condition is usually caused by the abnormal external pressure on the nail bed causing the nail edge to grow sideways into the surrounding skin of the toe. The toe is usually painfully red and infected. Any presence of infection can be very dangerous especially in people diagnosed with diabetes and those with immune suppressed system.
Anyone can suffer from ingrown toenails but they are often the result of improper nail cutting, trauma to the nail, tight shoes, poor posture and gait problems (flat feet), fungal infections and abnormal nail growths, excessive foot sweating (hyperhidrosis), etc.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Skin is shiny, red and tense.
• Pain at the tip of the toe extending down the side of the nail, especially when some pressure is applied.
• There is a presence of redness, swelling, thickening of the nail fold, possible presence of infection.
• Infected area will likely have pus or presence of yellow drainage.

Treatment

There is a variety of treatments available in order to treat this condition. In order to determine the best course of action consult Chiropodist/ Podiatrist or your family physician. Treatment plan usually depends on the presence or absence of infection and whether or not this is a long standing condition. In most of the cases a portion of the ingrown nail (corner/spike) can be removed with or without local anaesthesia followed with proper antibiotics in order to treat possible infection. Resistant and recurrent cases of ingrown nails and infections may require an in office procedure which removes the offending portion of the nail on permanent basis. Diabetic patients should not attempt any self treatment and should seek immediate help.

In order to prevent ingrown nails always cut nails straight across, wear shoes that fit well, maintain good foot hygiene, DO NOT try to do a home surgery and remove the ingrown nail yourself.

Diabetic patient or any patient with impaired immune system and poor peripheral circulation should have regular foot treatments done by Chiropodist/ Podiatrist in order to prevent potential complications.