Ingrown Toenails
Symptoms
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and redness. The area may become warm or tender to the touch. Infection can develop, leading to pus drainage or increased pain. Walking or wearing shoes may become uncomfortable. In chronic cases, overgrowth of skin or granulation tissue may occur. Most commonly affects the big toe. The nail fold may appear raised or inflamed. Symptoms often worsen with improper trimming or tight footwear.
Cause
The most common cause is improper nail trimming—cutting the nails too short or rounding the corners encourages the nail to grow inward. Other contributing factors include tight shoes, trauma, genetic predisposition, or thickened nails. Athletes and adolescents are particularly at risk. Repeated irritation can lead to chronic inflammation. Poor foot hygiene may increase the risk of infection. Structural foot abnormalities can also play a role.
Treatment
Mild cases can often be managed at home with warm soaks, gentle lifting of the nail edge, and antibiotic ointment. Avoiding tight footwear and proper nail trimming is key. If the condition worsens or becomes infected, a physician may need to remove part of the nail. In recurrent cases, permanent removal of the nail edge (matrixectomy) may be performed. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed if infection is present. Pain typically resolves quickly after treatment. Preventive foot care is important to avoid recurrence.
Dr. Beth Schulz-Butulis
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