What is an Ingrown Nail and How Can You treat it?

Let’s talk a little about secrets… We all seem to have them but of course, we don’t talk about them, or even if we do, only to a select few, because no one is supposed to know. Sometimes we also just don’t talk about some things. Not necessarily because they are secrets but because we don’t want people to know. I have many friends, and I’m about to leak a big secret of one of my very good friends…or maybe not…giggles. Well, you’ve read this far so I might as well tell you. A very good friend of mine has a secret he kept safely away from everyone for a long time, until a certain day when we played a game of telling each other one thing we didn’t know about each other before. My friend told me he had lost the big toenail on his left foot and it made him feel a bit insecure, and he never let anyone see it except his family members who already knew. It took him almost another 3 days and lots of pleading to let me see the nail. He always had a way of keeping it out of sight even when he was indoors. Probing into what led to the nail being removed, I learned that he had had an ingrown nail when he was younger. Being away in a boarding school left it unattended until it got so bad the nail had to be removed. Unfortunately, it was done poorly and the nail never grew again after the procedure.

WHAT IS AN INGROWN NAIL?

An ingrown nail is a common condition in which the corner or side of a nail (usually the toenail) grows into the soft flesh. The result is pain, redness, swelling, and, sometimes, an infection. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toe.

WHAT CAUSES INGROWN NAIL?

The most common causes of an ingrown nail include:

1. Footwear: Shoes and socks that crowd the toes and toenails increase the chances of an ingrown toenail. Shoes can be too tight because they are too short, too narrow at the end, or too flat at the end. Tight-fitting tights, or stockings may cause ingrown toenails.

2. Cutting the toenails too short: Not cutting straight across or cutting the edges of the toenail can encourage the surrounding skin to fold over the nail. The nail can then push into that skin and pierce it.

3. Toenail injury: Dropping something on the toe, kicking something hard, and other accidents can lead to ingrown toenails.

4. An unusual nail curvature: This increases the risk that the toenail will grow into the soft tissue, causing inflammation and possible infection.

5. Posture: How a person walks or stands can affect the likelihood of developing ingrown toenails.

6. Poor foot hygiene or excessive sweating: If the skin on the toes and feet is moist and warm, there is a higher chance of developing an ingrown toenail. A fungal infection can increase the risk.

7. Heredity: Ingrown toenails can run in families.

8. Genetic factors: Some people are born with larger toenails, making them more likely to develop ingrown nails.

HOW COMMON ARE INGROWN NAILS?

Ingrown nails are very common, with about 1.5 million cases yearly in Nigeria.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of an ingrown nail include:

1. Pain and tenderness in the toe along one or both sides of the nail
2. Redness around the toenail
3. Swelling of the toe around the nail
4. Infection of the tissue around the toenail.

See your doctor if you:

• Experience severe discomfort in your toe or pus or redness that seems to be spreading.
• Have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet and you experience any foot sore or infection.

If left untreated or undetected, an ingrown toenail can infect the underlying bone and lead to a serious bone infection.

Complications can be very serious if a person has diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease, which can cause poor blood flow and damage nerves in the feet. In such persons, a small foot injury like a cut, scrape, or ingrown toenail may not heal properly and can become infected. An open sore which is difficult to heal (foot ulcer) may require surgery to prevent the decay and death of tissue(called gangrene). Gangrene results from an interruption in blood flow to an area of your body.

Ingrown toenails can usually be treated at home, but if the pain is severe or spreading, it may be necessary to see a health care provider, to prevent complications and relieve symptoms. You can speak with a doctor for free on the flexicare hmo plan by initiating a message via the AI health messenger here or via your dashboard on the website.

CARE/TREATMENT

As stated above, ingrown nails can often be taken care of at home. Here are some things you can do:

1. Soak the foot in warm, soapy water:

Soaking the affected foot may help reduce swelling and ease the pain. You can soak your foot in warm, soapy water three times a day for up to 20 minutes at a time. 

2. Apply antibiotic ointment:

Using over-the-counter antibiotic ointment or cream can promote healing and help reduce the risk of infection. Apply the ointment to the affected toenail following the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to bandage the toenail after application.

3. Wear comfortable shoes and socks:

Shoes and socks that are too tight can crowd your toes. This is considered to be a leading cause of ingrown toenails. To help prevent an ingrown toenail from getting worse, wear shoes and socks that fit but still leave enough space in the toe bed. During the healing process, avoid shoes or wear sandals as much as possible to limit pressure on your toenails.

If the pain is severe or spreading, your doctor can take steps to relieve your discomfort and help you avoid complications of ingrown toenails. 

PREVENTION

To help prevent an ingrown toenail:

• Trim your toenails straight across. Don’t curve your nails to match the shape of the front of your toe. If you have your toenails done at a salon, be sure to tell the person doing them to trim your nails straight across. If you have a condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet and you can’t trim your nails, see a foot specialist regularly to have your nails trimmed.
• Keep toenails at a moderate length. Trim toenails so they’re even with the tips of your toes. If you trim your toenails too short, the pressure from your shoes on your toes may direct a nail to grow into the tissue.
• Wear shoes that fit properly. Shoes that put too much pressure on your toes or pinch them may cause a nail to grow into the nearby tissue. If you have nerve damage to your feet, you may not be able to sense if your shoes fit too tightly. Take care to buy and wear properly fitted shoes, preferably from a shoe store specializing in fitting shoes for people with foot problems.
• Wear protective footwear. If your work puts you at risk of injuring your toes, wear protective footwear, such as steel-toed shoes.
• Check your feet. If you have diabetes, check your feet daily for signs of ingrown toenails or other foot problems.