Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails, or onychocryptosis, are one of the most common foot problems our chiropodists treat. They can also be one of the most painful foot conditions. An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail is growing into the surrounding tissue, causing inflammation, redness, and swelling of the tissue. This painful condition can lead to infection if left untreated and cause further problems for the patient.
Those suffering from diabetes or who have poor circulation to their feet must see a chiropodist for professional treatment of ingrown toenails. At Collective Foot & Wellness Clinic, we specialize in ingrown nails and can help you safely treat them to prevent additional health issues.
- Causes
- Preventing
- Treatment
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
There are many causes of ingrown toenails. The most common ones are:
- Improper nail cutting
- Tight fitting shoes or socks
- Abnormal shape of the nail plate
- Trauma to the nail plate or toe
- Sport footwear
- Pronation (the foot rolling in)
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Many of these causes of ingrown toenails are preventable, such as wearing properly fitting footwear and avoiding trauma to the toes. Cutting toenails straight across using nail clippers, not scissors, is also important for controlling how your toenails grow. If you suffer from excessive pronation, wearing custom foot orthotics is key in limiting the inward rolling of your feet and causing ingrown toenails. With these measures, preventing ingrown toenails can be very simple.
If an ingrown toenail develops, it’s necessary to have it treated as soon as possible by a chiropodist to avoid infection. If an infection occurs, it can easily spread to the bloodstream and cause severe problems for the patient. Other complications from an untreated ingrown toenail include the loss of the nail plate, deformity of the nail plate and tissue, scarring of the nail fold, and severe inflammation and pain around the nail bed. All of these complications can lead to difficulty wearing shoes and participating in normal activities.
Ingrown Toenails: Treatment
Ingrown toenails treatment vary depending on the severity of the condition. Regular nail care, such as trimming, is the easiest treatment. Nail spicule removal or, in more severe cases, a surgical procedure to permanently prevent regrowth, are also possible treatments. A chiropodist can help you determine if these procedures are necessary and give you advice as to how to perform regular nail care at home.
At Collective Foot and Wellness Clinic, we can provide ingrown toenail management and perform removal procedures and consultations. Because it’s one of the most common foot conditions, our chiropodists have experience with treating and preventing ingrown toenails.
If you’re suffering from an ingrown toenail, contact Collective Foot and Wellness Clinic. We can help you manage them and prevent them.