An ingrown toenail occurs when the outer edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, rather than over it. This causes redness, swelling, pain, and inflammation around the ingrown toenail. The area is also at an increased risk of infection. Several factors make an ingrown toenail more likely to develop. Trimming the toenails improperly, by cutting them too short or into a rounded shape, makes the skin more likely to fold over the nail. Wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow in the toe area can squish the nails into the skin. Having excessively sweaty feet can make the skin surrounding the nails too soft, allowing the nail to pierce through the skin more easily. Sometimes an injury to the toenail can cause an ingrown nail to develop. Some people also have nails that naturally grow in a curved or fan-like shape that can make ingrown nails more likely. If you have a painful or infected ingrown toenail, or if you are prone to ingrown toenails, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM of Maryland. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
- Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
- Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
- Genetic predisposition
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
