Ingrown nail

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Ingrown nail
An ingrown toenail
Synonyms	Onychocryptosis, unguis incarnatus
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain, redness, swelling around the nail
Complications	Infection, abscess
Onset	Any age, more common in adolescents and adults
Duration	Varies, can be chronic if untreated
Types	N/A
Causes	Improper nail trimming, tight footwear, trauma
Risks	Diabetes, poor foot hygiene
Diagnosis	Clinical examination
Differential diagnosis	Paronychia, onychomycosis
Prevention	Proper nail trimming, wearing appropriate footwear
Treatment	Soaking, lifting the nail, partial nail removal
Medication	Antibiotics if infected
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Ingrown nail in hallux toe

Diagram of onychocryptosis

Nagelspange treatment for ingrown nail

Post-operative view of ingrown nail

Ingrown nail is a common condition that occurs when the edge of a nail grows into the skin of the toe. It can cause pain, redness, and swelling, and if left untreated, it can lead to infection.

Causes

Ingrown nails are often caused by improper nail care, such as cutting the nails too short or rounding the edges. They can also be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight or by injuring the toe. Some people are more prone to ingrown nails due to the natural shape of their nails.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of an ingrown nail include:

• Pain and tenderness in your toe along one or both sides of the nail
• Redness around your toenail
• Swelling of your toe around the nail
• Infection of the tissue around your toenail

Treatment

Treatment for an ingrown nail depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can often be treated at home by soaking the foot in warm water, applying antibiotic ointment, and using a bandage to protect the area. In more severe cases, a doctor may need to remove part of the nail or prescribe antibiotics to treat an infection.

Prevention

Preventing ingrown nails involves proper nail care and wearing shoes that fit properly. Nails should be cut straight across and not too short. Shoes should be wide enough to allow the toes to move freely.

See also

• Nail disease
• Podiatry

References

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