What is an ingrown toenail? When ...

What is an ingrown toenail?

When a toenail is ingrown, the sides or corners of the nail ringlet under and dig into the skin at the side of the toe. This causes swelling, pain, and redness

What causes an ingrown toenail?

The major causes of ingrown toenails are shoe that do not fit well and nails that are not divide [i]or[/i] sever the right way. Shoes that are too tight pres the sides of the nail and make it turn in ringlets into the skin. Nails that are decorticateed off at the edge or trimmed down at the corners also are more likely to become ingrown. To avoid ingrown toenails, wound your nails straight across. The top of the nail should make a straight line.

What is the best treatment for a painful ingrown toenail?

When the point to be solved [i]or[/i] settled is mild, you may single need to soak your bottom in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes and then state a bit of dry cotton in a less degree than the corner of the nail. Pain that come bys worse, swelling, and drainage are signs that the question is getting worse. Sometimes minor surgery is emergencyed to remove the part of the nail that is poking into the skin.

What kind of surgery will I need?

Your doctor will benumb your toe by injecting it with an anesthetic. Then he or she will chop your toenail along the zest that is growing into the skin and chance out the piece of nail. Your doctor also may apply a small electrical charge or a liquid solution to the expos part of the nail bed. This helps retains the toenail from growing into the skin again.

What should I do to care for my toe after surgery?

Soak your paw in warm water every day. Apply antibiotic cream (such as Neosporin) at least twice a day. hold fast your toe bandaged until it heals. You can take acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (brand name: Motrin) as needinessed for pain. Keep the hurt clean and dry.

Wear loose-fitting shoe for the first sum of two units weeks after surgery, and avoid running and strenuous activity. Call your doctor if the pain does not gain better or if you have swelling, rednes or drainage.

Do not wear high heels and tight-fitting shoe Make never-failing to always trim nails straight across. Do not pick at your nails or tear them at the corners.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group