When it comes to foot health, your toenails prefer comfort over style. While curvy, painted, pedicured toenails and 3-inch heels might be fashionable, you may be putting yourself at risk for an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail is a painful condition when the side or corner of the nail grows abnormally into the flesh of the toe.
Cause
According to MayoClinic.com, ingrown toenails are caused by cutting your nails too short and not straight across, wearing footwear that crowds your toenails or injury to your toenails. The American Podiatric Medical Association also mentions heredity as a risk factor for ingrown toenails. Regardless of the cause, ingrown toenails can be uncomfortable and debilitating.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of ingrown toenails include pain, redness and inflammation on one or both sides of the toenail. If the infection is severe, white or yellow pus may be present. While the big toe is most commonly affected, other toes can be affected as well. You may experience difficulty bearing weight on the affected toenail due to the pain.
Treatment
Often, ingrown toenails can be treated at home. MayoClinic.com suggests soaking the affected foot in warm water several times a day for 15 to 20 minutes, applying over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to the affected area, covering it with a band-aid and taking over-the-counter pain relievers as directed if necessary. For comfort, you may want to wear open-toed shoes or sandals until your toenail is healed. If the redness and pus seem to spread or the pain gets worse, you may have to see a podiatrist, or foot doctor. You may need to take oral antibiotics for the infection and possibly undergo a procedure to remove part of your toenail.
Cost
The cost of an ingrown toenail is difficult to quantify. Ingrown toenail sufferers may spend varying amounts of money for home treatment supplies, doctor visits, procedures and special shoes. But another cost to consider is the inconvenience. While a toe injury may seem minor, it can really affect your activities of daily living. Many things you may take for granted, such as walking, running, driving or even doing your job, may be difficult and require modification until your toenail is healed.
Prevention
While not all ingrown toenails can be prevented due to heredity or injury, a few steps can decrease your chances of getting an ingrown toenail. Use toenail clippers to trim your toenails and trim them straight across. Do not trim your nails too short. Trim them even with the tissue at the end of your toe. Wear comfortable footwear, avoiding shoes that are too narrow or small. If ingrown toenails are a recurrent problem for you, consider getting your shoes properly fitted at a specialty store for people with foot problems. If you are a diabetic or have decreased sensation in your feet, you should check your feet daily, as you may not necessarily feel the pain associated with an ingrown toenail. Diabetics may want to consider having their nails trimmed by a health care professional to ensure that it is done properly.
Complications
Ingrown toenails should be taken seriously. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to an infection in the underlying bone. Due to poor circulation, diabetics can develop sores that do not heal and may even require surgery to prevent tissue death. Seek treatment for an ingrown toenail as soon as possible, as this may increase the chances of a better outcome.
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