Ingrown toenail: what to do?

It is an annoying inconvenience and often also quite painful. The secret is to intervene immediately, or, even better, to prevent it.

A sore finger, the edge of the nail reddened and swollen, sometimes the signs of an infection: the ingrown nail (onychocryptosis, this is the scientific name) looks like this and is one of the most common nail pathologies. It mainly affects the toes, but, in more rare cases, it can also occur on the hands.

What goes wrong?

Onychocryptosis occurs when the nail, growing, penetrates the skin, tearing it and causing inflammation of the tissues. The wound can thus be colonized by bacteria or fungi and become swollen, red, until it bleeds and secretes pus.

It is an easily solved disorder, but if neglected it can lead to nail loss and the formation of infected tissue (granuloma).

The causes of this process are mainly due to a few factors. First of all, the incorrect cutting of the nails, which can promote regrowth with onychocryptosis. Even repeated microtraumas can promote the formation of ingrown toenails: shoes too tight at the tip, incorrect support of the foot, also due to high heels, walking and posture problems.

Finally, foot sweating plays an important role: hyperhidrosis problems (excessive sweating) or non-breathable shoes and socks can promote moisture stagnation and tissue maceration, which can promote infleshing.

What are the treatments

In case of ingrown and infected toenail you can seek advice from your family doctor. If the disorder is at the beginning and is not very extensive, often the use of an antibiotic ointment (based on erythromycin or gentamicin) can solve the problem. In these cases it is advisable to wash the feet with water and baking soda and to apply immediately after the ointment, which counteracts the infection and heals the tissues.

If the disorder is extensive, the use of a dermatologist may be indicated, who can evaluate a podiatric intervention, with the reduction of the nail spur, that is the portion of the nail that has penetrated the skin, or the need for a real surgery, with the removal of the nail. Alternatively, it is also possible that the doctor opts for a laser procedure.

How is it prevented?

To prevent onychocryptosis, a correct and non-aggressive pedicure is important: it is necessary to cut the nails squarely, without rounding the sides, with the use of a nipper or, even better, shortening the length of the nail with the file.

It is absolutely forbidden to remove dirt that tends to accumulate especially in the big toe on the sides of the nails with the tip of the scissors or with sharp tools that could create lesions in the tissues. It is better to use wooden sticks or brush vigorously with the appropriate nail brushes. It is also good to dry your feet thoroughly (even in the space between your fingers) after washing.

Another no less important precaution is to avoid keeping tight toe footwear and non-breathable fabrics on your feet for too many hours. In case of hyperhidrosis it is better to use special products that limit the production of sweat thanks to the astringent action.