Ingrown Toenail

A nail disease in which the toenail grows into the skin of your toes. The side of your nail (nail borders) will curl down and dig into the skin.

If an ingrown nail causes a break into the skin, bacteria may enter and cause infection to the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. Even if a nail does not break into the skin, leaving it untreated could eventually lead to an infection as well.

Symptoms

- Pain along margins of nail

• Pain increases when wearing shoes or socks
• May experience sensitivity to pressure such as a simple bed sheet resting on your toes

- Swelling at area

- Redness and warmth of area

- Drainage

- Foul Odor

Common Causes

- Improper grooming or trimming of toenail

• If you cut you toenails too short, it encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail

- Tight shoe wear

- Trauma

• Stubbing toe onto something
• Having toe stepped on
• Repeated pressure on toes such as kicking or running

- Inherited through genetics

- Previous fungal infections

• Puts you at greater risk for developing ingrown toenails

Treatment

- Oral antibiotics

- In-office Surgery

• Simple procedure done in-office where the toe becomes numb and a portion of the nail or the entire nail is removed

- Soaking toe in Epsom salts and water 3-4 times a day

Change shoes to those that are more open or have more room for toes

Prevention will go a long way into stopping recurrence. The best way to do so is by wearing comfortable shoes that allow adequate room for your toes. Also, when cutting nails, make sure to trim them straight across with a clean, sharp nail trimmer without any tapering or rounding the corners. Make sure to trim your toenails only to the edge of your toe and not any shorter. It is very important to keep your feet clean and dry at all times.