An ingrown toenail happens when the nail edge is damaged and the nail no longer fits properly into the side groove. The nail curls downward and gets into the skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and drainage.
The leading causes are:
- Poor-fitting shoes.
- Improperly trimmed nails.
Treatment in case of infection:
In severe cases, it is necessary to remove the ingrown nails, and minor surgery is needed. It basically involves removing a small portion of the side of the nail and destroying the nail bed beneath. Local anesthesia will be applied, and cute nail to create a new, straight nail edge. Oral antibiotics can be prescribed if the nail was infected before the procedure. Antibiotic ointment will be applied to the toe immediately after the procedure and should be reapplied frequently in the next few days.
After the surgery, it is essential to keep the foot elevated for a few hours and complete rest on the day. On the next day, it is possible to return to the routine without running or vigorous exercise, which should be avoided for two weeks.
This condition is especially dangerous for people with diabetes, nerve damage, or poor circulation, so special attention should be taken to avoid missing the right opportunity to do the procedure. There is also the possibility that the nail removal is partial; in that case, the natural nail may grow back in approximately three to four months.
In conclusion, ingrown toenails can be painful but rarely severe with proper treatment. Although surgery is a more complex procedure, it can cure the chronic pain of an ingrown toenail.
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About the Author: MSci Maísa Melo is a Pharmacist and a current PhD student in cosmetic technology, from São Paulo, Brazil. She has earned her master’s degree from the University of São Paulo and has been involved with the development, stability, safety and efficacy of cosmetics since 2013. She has specialized in the clinical efficacy of cosmetics by biophysical and skin imaging techniques as well as the use of alternative models to animal testing. Her research work has been published in several scientific journals and book chapters from the field.