Ingrown Toe Nail
Ingrown toe nails are a painful condition where the nail grows through the skin. This can happen at the corner of the nail or along the side of the nail edge.
Cause
Ingrown nails can be caused by:
- Improper cutting method
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Trauma to the nail or nail bed
- Overgrown toeskin
- Predisposition to having poorly shaped nails
Treatment
- Preventative treatment generally involves cutting the nails straight across and not cutting them too short in the corners
- If there is too much skin around the nail making it difficult to do cut straight across, your podiatrist can advice on the best method for cutting
- Anti-biotics and dressings are required if the ingrown nail is infected
- If conservative treatment fails, a minor procedure to remove the offending edge of the nail permanently can give you long term relief
If you suspect you have an ingrown nail, see your podiatrist before it gets worse!!!
Cause
Ingrown nails can be caused by:
- Improper cutting method
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Trauma to the nail or nail bed
- Overgrown toeskin
- Predisposition to having poorly shaped nails
Treatment
- Preventative treatment generally involves cutting the nails straight across and not cutting them too short in the corners
- If there is too much skin around the nail making it difficult to do cut straight across, your podiatrist can advice on the best method for cutting
- Anti-biotics and dressings are required if the ingrown nail is infected
- If conservative treatment fails, a minor procedure to remove the offending edge of the nail permanently can give you long term relief
If you suspect you have an ingrown nail, see your podiatrist before it gets worse!!!
