A. When the edge or corner of a toenail (usually on the big toe) grows into the skin surrounding the nail, you have an ingrown toenail. You’ll likely first notice an ingrown toenail because it’s uncomfortable. The skin around the nail may be swollen, tender, red, or hard. As the condition advances, the pain will intensify, possibly making it hard to wear shoes or walk. The area surrounding the toenail may even begin to bleed or ooze pus. An ingrown toenail won’t go away on its own, so you must take action to remedy the situation. With the proper tools and procedures, most ingrown toenails can be treated at home. Q. What causes an ingrown toenail?

A toenail is made up of keratin, the same protein as hair. The cells of a toenail are constantly growing in an area called the nail matrix that’s by the cuticle, located under the lunula (the white half-moon shape). As these cells multiply, the old ones get pushed up and forward. By the time these cells are visible, they’re dead, which is why it doesn’t hurt to trim your nails. Wash and dry your feet regularly. Remove calluses from clean feet with a pumice stone or foot file. Remove dirt under the nails with a nail cleaner. For toes too painful to touch, a local anaesthetic will be injected before removing the offending portion of nail Less common is a fungal infection or in some cases particular types of medication, for example isotretinoin. Who gets it? Nail cleaner: This is a tiny tool with a thin, spoon-like tip. Its purpose is to scoop out any dirt that has accumulated beneath the front edge of the toenail.

Repeated activity: Any activity where you are constantly impacting the edge of the toenail may eventually cause that toenail to grow unnaturally. For any bleeding or discharge from an infection, or even excessive healing flesh (hypergranulation tissue) around the nail, antibiotics will be prescribed to manage the infection as well as having the offending spike removed While toenail growth can be corrected in a number of ways, devices that draw the most attention clamp around the edges of the toe and lift the edges out of the nail folds, gradually correcting the nail’s growth. The nail brace was created in 1872 and requires no surgery or anesthesia. One of the biggest reasons at-home nail treatment is unsuccessful is because it takes months of daily diligence to correct a growth problem and many people simply neglect caring for their toes over time. FAQ Q. What is an ingrown toenail?

Improper trimming: One of the biggest reasons people have problems with ingrown toenails is because they round the toenail when they trim it. If you cut the corners off the front of your toenail, as the dead cells are pushed forward, they will burrow into the nail folds and cause pain and possibly infection. For involuted nails, part of the nail that is curling into the flesh is removed and then the edges of the nail are filed to a smooth surface The downside is for some individuals it can take as long as 6 to 12 months to be effective. After nail growth has been corrected, improper trimming, constrictive footwear, or repeated actions can cause the problem to return.Toenail brace: This small metal band clamps over the toe like the toenail corrector and also gently pulls the edges of the nail out of the nail folds. The difference is this device is meant to be worn long-term. You should see a podiatrist urgently if you have symptoms of infection, and also have diabetes, poor circulation or a reduced immune system. You should also visit a podiatrist if you experience any persistent pain in your toe from the ingrowing nail or have a condition that affects the nerves and/or feeling in your foot. Nail clipper/nipper/scissors: If you don’t already own a nail clipper, nipper, or scissors, look for a toenail correction kit that has one or more of these devices. If you don’t keep your toenails properly trimmed, you’ll eventually wind up with problems. While most people use a nail clipper, nail scissors produce a cleaner cut. The next best option is a nail nipper because it’s a far more versatile tool than a clipper. The nail folds, located along the sides of the toenail can become painful and infected if the edges of the nail grow into them, resulting in what’s known as an ingrown toenail. What causes ingrown toenails?

Adhesive tape: Some toenail correction sets include adhesive tape that is applied over the toenail brace to help hold it in place for extended periods of time.Besides heredity, there are three main reasons why a toenail may grow incorrectly: improper trimming, constrictive footwear, and repeated activity.

Before you are seen by a podiatrist, you can relieve the discomfort by bathing your foot in a salty footbath which helps to prevent infection and reduces inflammation. Then apply a clean sterile dressing, especially if you have a discharge, and rest your foot as much as possible. Constrictive footwear: Footwear that is too tight around the toes applies pressure to the toenails. Again, as dead cells are pushed forward, they conform to the pressure and grow in the direction of least resistance, which is often up or into the nail folds.In some instances when poor hygiene is ruled out, repeated fungal infections in the toenail may be a symptom of an underlying health condition such as poor circulation or diabetes. Key considerations Toenail 101