Ingrown toenails, medically known as onychocryptosis, are a common condition in podiatry care where the corner or side of a toenail grows into the flesh of the toe. This often results in pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
- Improper Trimming: Cutting toenails too short or not straight across can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
- Tight Footwear: Shoes that are too tight can compress the toes and push the nail to grow abnormally.
- Injury: Stubbing your toe or having an object fall on it can cause the nail to grow improperly.
- Genetics: Some people are predisposed to ingrown toenails because of the natural shape of their nail beds.
- Poor Posture: Abnormal standing or walking habits can increase pressure on the toes.
Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
- Tenderness: The skin next to the nail becomes tender, possibly hardening over time.
- Swelling: The toe can swell and feel warm to the touch.
- Pain: The pressure of the nail growing into the skin creates discomfort or sharp pain.
- Infection: The toe may become infected, indicated by pus and red streaks on the skin.
Treatment
Podiatry care for ingrown toenails involves:
- Self-Care: Soaking the foot in warm water, placing cotton under the nail, and applying topical antibiotics.
- Medical Treatment: A podiatrist may trim or remove the affected part of the nail. In severe cases, nail surgery may be necessary.
- Preventive Care: Recommendations on proper nail cutting, footwear choice, and foot hygiene are provided to prevent recurrence.
Persistent or recurrent issues with ingrown toenails should be addressed by a healthcare professional or a podiatrist to ensure proper treatment and to prevent complications.
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