Ingrown nails may occur in either the hands or feet but are much more common in the toes than in the fingers. This painful condition not only looks unsightly, but can also develop into an infection if left untreated. In the early stages, treatment is simple and can be handled at home, but serious cases of ingrown nails require a physician's assistance.
Symptoms
When an ingrown nail develops on the toe, the sides of the nail appear to be curved downward. Instead of remaining on top of the toe and growing straight out, the nail grows into the soft edge of the toe. The affected toe hurts and may appear red and swollen. If the toe becomes infected at the site of the ingrown nail, the area may drain pus and lymph fluid. According to MedlinePlus, the big toe is most often affected, but any toe can develop ingrown nails.
Cause
The American Academy of Family Physicians explains that the two main causes of ingrown nails are improperly fitted shoes and nails that aren't trimmed correctly. Improperly trimmed nails include nails cut too short, nails allowed to grow too long, nails that are cut in a curve or angled and nails that broke off instead of being cut. Shoes that are too tight or too short can press the toes together, causing the nail to grow into the toe. Other causes include toe injuries and repetitive foot activity, such as kicking a ball in sports.
Treatment
For an ingrown toenail that is not too severe, soaking the affected foot in a tub of warm salt water for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day may help, according to the Nemours Foundation. Cotton padding can be placed under the edge of the nail to prop it up and allow it to grow out properly. If the ingrown nail has become infected, antibiotics may be required and may be prescribed in oral or topical form. Sometimes, ablation surgery is necessary for severely ingrown toenails. In ablation surgery, the corner of the ingrown nail is removed and the corner of the nail bed is treated to prevent future ingrown nails.
Prognosis
Many cases of ingrown nails are successfully treated at home if caught early. For ingrown nails that require ablation surgery, the new nail should grow back within two to four months. If preventative measures are not taken, the likelihood of a recurrence is high. In many people, ingrown nails may be genetic, since individuals whose parents have ingrown nails and curvy toenails are likely to develop the problem themselves, according to the Nemours Foundation.
Prevention
When cutting toenails, the cut should always be made straight across, not curved or angled down at the corners. Individuals should always wear shoes that fit well and should check their feet and toes regularly for any problems. If a nail appears to be becoming ingrown, the individual should try to treat it as early as possible.
