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Ingrown toenail (Known as Onychocrylosis)

The benefit of using a Foot Health Practitioner to examine your ingrown toenail:

Your Foot Health Practitioner will identify an ingrown toenail correctly. 

Sometimes a curly nail with lots of dirt or fluff underneath or a corn or callus down the side of the nails could be causing the pain. Whatever the problem it is important to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Ingrown toenail/s assessment and treatment:

Your assessment starts with taking your medical history, and an update on the problem you have been experiencing along with a full examination of your feet, and toenails.

Your diagnosis will depend on the severity of your symptoms (mild, moderate, or severe) for the best course of treatment for you.

Advice will be provided on correct nail cutting techniques, foot-care, and footwear to help prevent future re-occurrence.

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is where a piece of nail pierces the flesh of the toe and feels like you have a splinter causing lots of plain, inflammation or infection. An ingrown toenail usually affects the big toenail but can affect other toes too.

How did I get an ingrown toenail?

There are genetic factors like your nail shape, your posture, or any foot deformity such as a bunion that can make you prone to ingrowing toenails. Your type of footwear can push your flesh into the nail so that it pierces the skin. Common causes of ingrown toenails include:

  • Not cutting your toenails properly

  • Tight footwear, hosiery, and socks

  • Excess sweating (hyperhidrosis) making your skin moist and weak so that the nail easily penetrates the skin

  • Brittle nails with sharp edges

  • Involuted nails

  • Fungal infection

Can I get an ingrown toenail?

Anyone can get an ingrown toenail but usually, those with involuted nail shape and active, sporty people because they sweat more. Teenagers who are likely to pick their nails are more prone than the older generation who may not be able to reach their toes.

What are the signs and symptoms of ingrown toenails?

An ingrowing toenail mainly affects your big toenail but can affect the other toes too. The most common symptom is pain followed by inflammation in the surrounding nail area,

The signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail will vary on the severity and length of time the nail has been ingrown.

Initially, you will have pain when you apply pressure, redness, swelling and your toe might feel hot. If left your toe may bleed, pus may be present with greater swelling and potential for infection. If not treated the infection will not go away and you could see signs of fever, chills, rapid pulse, or joint aches.

Ingrown toenails aren’t usually serious but if they become infected, or you have an existing condition such as diabetes, poor circulation, or a reduced immune system, if left untreated the infection can develop and it is important to seek help from your doctor.

Summary:

An ingrown toenail is a nail the punctures and then grows into the surrounding skin and it is painful and can lead to infection. It is so important to diagnose and treat an ingrown toenail as soon as possible.

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