Many people don't give their toes any thought until a painful problem appears. However, proper care of your toes will keep them healthy and prevent an ingrown toenail. Ingrown means that the side of the toenail has grown into the skin. The American Podiatric Medical Association, calls toes "barometers of our health" explaining that they often give the first signal of a health problem, such as anemia.
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
Also called onychocryptosis, an ingrown toenail happens when the toenail grows into the skin of the toe. The big toe is more often affected than the other toes. Pain, with swelling and redness, often signal the problem.
Cause
People who have nails that are too large for the toe or nails that naturally grow downward are more susceptible to ingrown toenails. If you cut your toenails in a rounded shape instead of straight across you could cause an ingrown toenail. Shoes that don't fit properly can also put pressure on the toenail and cause it to grow downward. Simply stubbing your toe can also lead to the extra pain of an ingrown nail, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Home Treatment
The Mayo Clinic recommends soaking your feet in warm water several times a day for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a small amount of clean cotton under the ingrown area. Be sure to use fresh cotton every day. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection and promote healing. If weather and activities permit, sandals are a good choice of footwear until healing occurs.
Surgical Treatment
If the ingrown nail does not return to normal or if it comes back repeatedly, see a doctor. The doctor will numb the toe, and cut down the edge of the nail where it presses into the skin. The affected part of the nail is removed. The nail will regrow in about 3 months. If infection is present, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Risks
Ingrown toenails often are safely cared for at home. However, people with diabetes or circulation problems should consult a doctor, as they are at greater risk for serious infection or complication, warns the Mayo Clinic. Diabetics should check their feet every day for signs of problems. If infection occurs, it can become severe and spread to the bone in anyone.
Prevention
Always trim the toenails straight across to discourage the nail from growing into the skin. Don' t trim the nail too short, as this could also cause it to grow downward when combined with pressure from shoes. Wear shoes that fit correctly and are not too tight or too loose, instructs the Mayo Clinic. For repeated problems, a doctor might use a chemical or electrical current to destroy the area that grows a new nail to permanently prevent the problem.
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