Nail salons found scattered across the United States serve women who are out to have the perfect nails, especially during important occasions, such as their wedding day. However, nails do not solely serve a cosmetic role. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nails serve to protect the finger and toenail tissues as they are made up of a hardened material called keratin. Sometimes, nails can grow abnormally or infections may invade them. Learn about treatable nail conditions.
Ingrown Toenails
The Mayo Clinic reports that ingrown toenails is a common condition in which the corner of the toe nails actually embed into the skin tissue. Its specific symptoms include redness surrounding the toenails, pain or tenderness along one or both sides of the affected toes, as well as swelling and an infection of the toenails.
Wearing shoes that are too small, toenail injuries, clipping the toenails too short or cutting them in a curved manner may lead to ingrown toenails. Simply soaking the feet in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes can reduce toe swelling. Using the right shoes, applying an antibiotic ointment and taking such pain medications as acetaminophen can help treat ingrown toenails.
Other treatments for ingrown toenails include having a physician place cotton underneath the ingrown toenails. This can help separate the toes from the skin tissue. Also, a doctor can also remove the portion of the nail that is problematic. Another treatment option includes removing the nail along with the tissue.
Nail Fungus
Sometimes, a fungus can infect the nail. According to the Mayo Clinic, a fungus is tiny organism typically found in moist and warm environments. Specific symptoms of a nail fungus include nails that are thickened, abnormal in shape and have no shine. Also, the nail can be dark in color and brittle in nature. Sometimes, the infected nail can actually separate from its nail bed. This is a medical condition called onycholysis.
Treatment for nail fungus involves taking such antifungal medications as terbinafine or itraconazole to destroy the fungus. Usually, these medications are taken anywhere between six to 12 weeks, says the Mayo Clinic. Other treatments for nail fungus involve using topical antibiotic medications or using an antibiotic nail polish, such as cicloprox. Surgical removal of the nail may be necessary in order to completely remove the nail, so a new healthy nail will grow in its place.
Warts
The American Academy of Dermatology says that warts (type of tumor) can actually grow underneath or near the nails. Typically, warts are round and raised and can be the result of pressure and friction, says MedlinePlus. Oftentimes, warts will resolve on their own. However, over-the-counter wart remedies are available. For example, cushions are available for plantar (underside of the foot) warts. Sometimes, freezing or surgical removal of the wart is necessary.
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