An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows down and into the skin of the toe. There may be pain, redness, and swelling around the nail.
Alternative NamesOnychocryptosis; Unguis incarnatus; Nail avlusion; Matrix excision
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAn ingrown toenail can result from a number of things, but poorly fitting shoes and toenails that are not trimmed properly are the most common causes. The skin along the edge of a toenail may become red and infected. The great toe is usually affected, but any toenail can become ingrown.
Ingrown toenails may occur when extra pressure is placed on your toe. Most commonly, this pressure is caused by shoes that are too tight or too loose. If you walk often or participate in athletics, a shoe that is even a little tight can cause this problem. Some deformities of the foot or toes can also place extra pressure on the toe.
Nails that are not trimmed properly can also cause ingrown toenails.
Some people are born with nails that are curved and tend to grow downward. Others have toenails that are too large for their toes. Stubbing your toe or other injuries can also lead to an ingrown toenail.
Signs and testsAn examination of the foot will show the following:
Tests or x-rays are usually not needed.
TreatmentIf you have Diabetes, nerve damage in the leg or foot, poor blood circulation to your foot, or an infection around the nail, go to the doctor right away. Do NOT try to treat this problem at home.
To treat an ingrown nail at home:
You may trim the toenail one time, if needed. When trimming your toenails:
Consider wearing sandals until the problem has gone away. Over-the-counter medications that are placed over the ingrown toenail may help some with the pain but do not treat the problem.
If this does not work and the ingrown nail gets worse, see your family doctor, a foot specialist (podiatrist) or a skin specialist (dermatologist).
If your ingrown nail does not heal or keeps coming back, your doctor may remove part of the nail.
Sometimes your doctor will use a chemical, electrical current, or another small surgical cut to destroy or remove the area from which a new nail may grow.
If the toe is infected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Expectations (prognosis)Treatment will generally control the infection and relieve pain. However, the condition is likely to return if measures to prevent it are not taken. Good foot care is important to prevent recurrence.
This condition may become serious in people with diabetes, poor circulation, and nerve problems (peripheral neuropathies).
ComplicationsIn severe cases, the infection may spread through the toe and into the bone.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you:
If you have diabetes, nerve damage in the leg or foot, poor blood circulation to your foot, or an infection around the nail, your risk for complications is higher. If you have diabetes, see your health care provider.
PreventionWear shoes that fit properly. Shoes that you wear every day should have plenty of room around your toes. Shoes that you wear for walking briskly or for running should have plenty of room also, but not be too loose.
When trimming your toenails:
Keep the feet clean and dry. People with diabetes should have routine foot exams and nail care.
ReferencesHeidelbaugh JJ, Lee H. Management of the ingrown toenail. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(4):303-8.
Richardson EG. Disorders of the nails and skin. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 84.
will Medicarepay for ingrown toenail
No, ingrown is not an action verb. It is an adjective- as in ingrown toenail. Ingrown describes what type/kind of toenail malady. It can also be used as a noun as well. Refer to webster's online dictionary. This will help more.
it's an ingrown toenail
not if you have an ingrown toenail... then it is perfectly normal
onychocryptosis
Ingrown toenails hurt because what is happening is that your toenail is penetrating the skin. when anything penetrates your skin it will hurt. The toenail will press on nerves in the toe. another reason that it hurts is that it is infected. The way to treat an infected ingrown toenail is to remove the toenail from the opening in the skin with nail trimmers then soak the toe in warm salt water. Hope this helps!!
The most effective treatment for an ingrown toenail is surgery. You need to remove the sides of the nail from the cuticle in order to stop regrowth from curling back in.
take a needle go right into the the part of the toenail by the skin, lift the toenail up with the needle and take the nail clippers and cut it back. or in the front of your toenail right in the middle, cut a v shaped figure. the point of the v should be facing up the toenail. this way the toenail will grow toward each other and will prevent ingrown toenails to happen.
get your parents to cut your toenails for you, if you are bad at cutting them.
You should soak it in epsom salts and then use some ingrown toe reliever. I believe Dr.Scholl's makes some
Onychocryptosis is the medical term meaning ingrown nail.Unguis Incarnatus, Onyxis, or Onychocryptosisonychocryptosis
First, the pediatrist has to use a shot to make your toe numb for when he cuts the ingrown toenail. So the shot doesn't hurt, he will spray some cold spray on it. the cold spray stings a little, but it helps not to feel the shot as much. Yes, that means you will feel the shot but it won't nesessarily hurt. After that, he will do his job in fixing your ingrown toenail.