The term “ingrown toenail” is used to illustrate various problems that lead to discomfort and pain all around the toe nail/s despite the unsaid fact that in most of the cases the nail does not actually “grow” into the surrounding skin. Ingrown toenails may present in all age groups of patients but it more frequently occurs in younger patients. Usually the lateral or medial side of the toe nail penetrates or irritates the skin creating pain, redness, swelling and infection.
What Causes Pain around the Nails:
- Improper cutting
- Poor fitting footwear
- Very curly nails
- Chubby toes
- Flat feet
- Walking abnormalities
- Corns, calluses and dry skin
- Genetics
How Can Ingrown Toenails Be Treated?
There are two basic ways to treat the trauma of ingrown toenails. Conservative treatment and surgical treatment.
Conservative Treatment:
- Proper cutting techniques
- Relieving the pressure off the surrounding area
- Soaking your feet in salt water (lukewarm water)
- Using Antibiotics (when prescribed)
- Gently lifting up the nail corner that is digging into the skin
- Eliminating the root cause of the nail trauma
Surgical Treatment:
Ingrown toenail surgery includes a number of dissimilar options. If it is a recurring problem, it is recommended that your Podiatrist will perform a small surgical procedure in which the offending piece of nail is removed, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
If the ingrown toenail cannot be dealt with via conservative treatment, a surgical procedure is advised to be performed by a Podiatrist.
Total or Partial Nail Avulsions (Removal) are performed by Podiatrists under local anesthesia in the clinic. Once the Ingrown nail is removed, the growth plate is neutralised by using the repeated application of a chemical called Phenol which will stop that section of the nail growing back.
Surgical treatment such as a Total or Partial Nail Avulsion provide almost 96% success rate in treating the problems of ingrown toenails. This option often results in quick healing with a return to the normal activities within a few days.
Summing Up:
Having an Ingrown toenail can be a serious concern, especially for those who rely on their feet for Work, Professional Sporting career or even the recreational runner trying to clear their head after a long day at the office.
If you are one of those people who are putting up with this painful problem, you should consider these affective treatment options available at Coast Sport. It is advised that and Toenail procedure be done by our experienced Podiatrist here at Coast Sport.
Helping the Central Coast Feel Well, Move Well and Perform Well!