An ingrown toenail is a painful condition in which the side of the nail grows into the surrounding soft tissue of the toe or the soft tissue grows over the nail. Swelling, pain and redness are common ailments seen by Chiropodists and are known medically as onychocryptosis.
A common cause of an ingrown toenail is the improper trimming of the toenails by cutting the nail too short or attempting to taper the edges of the nail around the curvature of the toe. The front and side of the nail then grows inwards into the exposed soft tissue of the nail bed.
The other most common cause of ingrown toenails is wearing shoes or socks which are too tight and press the skin of the toe and nail together over long periods. Most ingrown toenails can be prevented by wearing correctly fitted shoes and cutting toenails straight across.
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Trauma to the toe as a result of frequent running, or stubbing the toe can also cause the condition, as can bed sheets or stockings which are too tight in bed-ridden patients.
Treatment of ingrown toenails depends on the severity of the symptoms. If the toe is red and swollen but not infected, then soaking the feet in warm soapy or salt water followed by application of a mild antiseptic cream and clean bandage may suffice.
An infected ingrown toenail requires the attentions of a chiropodist.
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A minor surgical procedure will be carried out under a local anaesthetic, the ingrown portion of the nail will be removed and a chemical called phenol will be applied to the nail bed to prevent regrowth. This makes the nail narrower but it will not regrow into the skin again.
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