Ingrown toenails develop when the sides of the nail cut and pierce into the surrounding skin. This can cause pain, redness, swelling and possibly an infection.
Common causes of an ingrown can include damage to the nail following a sports injury, an object dropping on the nail or alternatively inappropriate cutting of the nail.
Symptoms of Ingrown Toenail
Signs of an infection may include:
Swelling
Redness
Pain
A hot sensation in the area
Pus
Bad odour
If you do suspect an infection, or pain does not settle after a few days, then arrange an appointment with your specialist as soon as possible.
What causes ingrown toenails?
Causes of ingrown toenails could include:
Poor nail cutting
Hygiene
Predispositions with wider or misshapen toenails, these can be difficult to cut properly.
Diagnosis for Ingrown Toenail
The diagnosis is generally made when you consult a podiatrist or a foot specialist, or alternatively by your GP.
Your specialist may prescribe antibiotics if the area is infected. This may be caused by the nail pushing in to the skin around the nail.
How to get rid of an ingrown toenail overnight?
It’s possible to bathe in salt water and try to remove a small spike of nail, if you are not cutting through the skin and if it’s not painful.
However, if ingrown toenail surgery is required then it is important to see a podiatrist or foot specialist who can assist in taking out the ingrown toenail.
Treatments may include:
Conservative Cut Back
If the issue is not too severe or infected, then your specialist may just need to cut or trim the nail. This can stop the nail from pushing into your skin and subsequently reduce pain, swelling and reduce the risk of an infection. A procedure may be advised at a later stage, especially if the ingrown nail is a recurrent problem.
Antibiotics
If the area is infected then your specialist may provide you with antibiotics, typically this is taken for one week. If symptoms persist following, then a procedure may be suggested.
Surgical Options
If you have a persistent ingrown toenail then your specialist may advise on a nail surgery procedure. Please click here to find out more.
How to prevent ingrown toenails
Prevention is very much dependent on keeping the area clean and cutting appropriately. It is important to wear properly fitting shoes, as this may cause an ingrowing toenail.
When to see doctor or specialist
If there is a sign of an ingrown toenail infection or the ingrown toenail is persistent then you should arrange an appointment to see a specialist. If the ingrown toenail has recurred a podiatrist can discuss surgical treatment options, such as the Zadik’s procedure or an exostectomy procedure if a boney spur is suspected to be the cause.
Symptoms of ingrown toenail could be from minor pinching in shoes versus local inflammation regularly or a chronic infection where the body is trying to get rid of the ingrown toenail and becomes infected with granulation tissue, which is essentially foreign body reaction.
Q. How to remove an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail surgery could include partial or full removal of the nail under local anaesthesia. The nail removal surgery may involve a chemical called phenol to help prevent the ingrown toenail from recurring.
Alternatively surgery such as the Zadik’s procedure could be advised. The nail bed is cut out by exposing the nail bed and removing the ingrown toenail. It is then stitched back so that the skin is cut is covered again
Q. What are signs of infection after ingrown toenail surgery?
Signs of an infected toenail may include pus, swelling, a foul smell, redness of the region and pain
Q. How to prevent ingrown toenail surgery?
It is important to properly clean and cut the nail to avoid ingrown toenails
Q. What is the most common cause of an ingrown toenail?
Wearing shoes that crowd the toenails.
Cutting toenails too short or not straight across.
