Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown Toenails can be painful. We can help.
OVERVIEW
When a toenail is ingrown, it can often curve and grow into the skin that is usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). In certain cases the nail can also grow into the skin at the end of the toe ( the Hyponychium). This can happen after the nail has received trauma, like a nasty stubbing or dropping something upon it.
It is 8 times more likely for males to suffer from in-grown nails in comparison to females. Male adolescents are at the highest risk of suffering from this condition.
When a toenail is ingrown, it can often curve and grow into the skin that is usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). In certain cases the nail can also grow into the skin at the end of the toe ( the Hyponychium). This can happen after the nail has received trauma, like a nasty stubbing or dropping something upon it.
It is 8 times more likely for males to suffer from in-grown nails in comparison to females. Male adolescents are at the highest risk of suffering from this condition.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our number and contact details are listed on the Contact page.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.
If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odour. However, even if the toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.
When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.
If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odour. However, even if the toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contact page.
CAUSES
Causes of ingrown toenails include:
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
Causes of ingrown toenails include:
- Heredity
In many people, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited. - Trauma
Sometimes an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running. - Improper trimming
The most common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short. This encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail. - Improperly sized footwear
Ingrown toenails can result from wearing socks and shoes that are tight or short. - Nail Conditions
Ingrown toenails can be caused by nail problems, such as fungal infections or losing a nail due to trauma.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our numbers and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
DIAGNOSIS
While an in-grown nail may appear a simple disorder, a physical examination of the affected toe is vital to enable our podiatrist to visualise the exact cause.
Sometimes an X-ray is required if an underlying bony cause is suspected. This could include the presence of a Subungual Exostosis (a bony cartilaginous benign growth) underneath the nail plate, that distorts the nail plate, pinching the soft-tissue underneath the nail plate and on top of the Distal Phalanx, producing acute pain upon gentle compression.
After examining the toe, our podiatrist will select the treatment best suited for you. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be required.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our number and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
While an in-grown nail may appear a simple disorder, a physical examination of the affected toe is vital to enable our podiatrist to visualise the exact cause.
Sometimes an X-ray is required if an underlying bony cause is suspected. This could include the presence of a Subungual Exostosis (a bony cartilaginous benign growth) underneath the nail plate, that distorts the nail plate, pinching the soft-tissue underneath the nail plate and on top of the Distal Phalanx, producing acute pain upon gentle compression.
After examining the toe, our podiatrist will select the treatment best suited for you. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be required.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our number and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
TREATMENT
Avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it’s time to seek professional help.
Sometimes a minor surgical procedure to remove the offending portion of ingrown nail is required. This helps to ease the pain and resolve the infection at the toe. After administering a local anaesthetic, our podiatrist is then able to painlessly remove part of the effected portion of nail. This procedure is called a partial nail avulsion or PNA for short. Following this nail procedure, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little pain after surgery and may resume normal activity the next day.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our number and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
Avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it’s time to seek professional help.
Sometimes a minor surgical procedure to remove the offending portion of ingrown nail is required. This helps to ease the pain and resolve the infection at the toe. After administering a local anaesthetic, our podiatrist is then able to painlessly remove part of the effected portion of nail. This procedure is called a partial nail avulsion or PNA for short. Following this nail procedure, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little pain after surgery and may resume normal activity the next day.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our number and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
PREVENTION
Many cases of ingrown toenails may be prevented by:
What you should know about home treatment
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our number and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
Many cases of ingrown toenails may be prevented by:
- Proper trimming. Cut toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. You should be able to get your fingernail under the sides and end of the nail.
- Well-fitted shoes and socks. Don’t wear shoes that are short or tight in the toe area. Avoid shoes that are loose, because they too cause pressure on the toes, especially when running or walking briskly.
What you should know about home treatment
- Don't cut a notch in the nail. Contrary to what some people believe, this does not reduce the tendency for the nail to curve downward.
- Don't repeatedly trim nail borders. Repeatedly trimming does not change the way the nail grows, and can make the condition worse.
- Over-the-counter medications are ineffective. Topical medications may mask the pain, but they don't correct the underlying problem.
For further advice or to make an appointment, please contact one of our professional team, our number and contact details are listed on the Contacts Page.
