When an ingrown toenail bends and grows into the skin at the edge of the toenail (on both sides of the toenail); the “ingrown” toenail can irritate the skin, causing pain, redness, swelling and burning; it can also cause bacteria to enter from the break and cause infection, commonly oozing and unpleasant odor (sometimes the toenail is not painful, but there are signs of infection such as redness, swelling and heat).
What are the causes?
1.Heredity: Many people have ingrown toenails because of heredity.
2, trauma: Sometimes ingrown toenails are the result of trauma, such as kicking and hitting the toe, something hitting the toe, or repeated pressure on the toe when playing soccer, running and other sports
3, inappropriate trimming: the most important reason for ingrown toenails is that they are too short, making the skin around the nail folded in the toenail
4, unsuitable footwear: too tight or too small shoes can produce ingrown nails
5.Toenail condition: problems with the nail itself, such as fungal infection, or trauma that causes it to loosen.
How to treat?
Initially, it can be treated at home. However, home treatment is strongly discouraged for people suspected of having an infection, or for people at high risk such as those with diabetes (foot nerve damage or poor blood circulation).
1, home treatment: If there is no infection or high-risk disease, you can soak your feet at home in room temperature water (with some magnesium sulfate salt) and gently massage the edges of the toenail folds to reduce inflammation. Avoid “bathroom surgery” as repeated trimming can cause aggravation. If the symptoms do not ease, immediately go to see a foot and ankle doctor.
2. Physician treatment.
(1) If there is an infection, oral antibiotics are needed
(2) Pain relief
(3) Nail extraction: local anesthesia and removal of part of the edge of the toenail. If the toenail is recurrent, it should be removed together with the nail bed.
(4) After surgery, a bandage is used, there is little pain and you can move around the next day.
3. Prevention of ingrown toenails.
(1) Reasonable trimming: trim the nail edge in a straight line, not too much
(2) Appropriate shoes and socks: do not wear shoes that are too tight or too small, the toe will be pressured; but also do not wear shoes that are too loose, because walking or running will cause impact pressure on the toe.
Attention!
A few things you should know about at-home treatment.
(1) Do not cut notches in the toenail
(2) Do not repeatedly clean the edge of the toenail
(3) Do not put cotton under the toenail as it will not stop the pain and will allow bacteria to grow
(4) Topical medication is not effective, some can stop the pain, but not the root cause of the problem
(5) People with diabetes and other high-risk groups should not deal with it by themselves, it is recommended to go to a specialist