Nail Embedment: Explanation, remedies, root causes, and additional information
Ingrown toenails, also known as onychocryptosis, are a common foot problem that typically affects the big toe. This condition occurs when the toenail embeds into the surrounding skin of the toe by growing into the skin or the skin extending over the edges of the nail.
Common causes of ingrown toenails include cutting the nail too short or improperly, wearing tight or poorly fitting shoes, repeated trauma to the toe, toenail deformities or overly curved nails, diseases affecting nails, excessive sweating, genetic factors, and congenital factors. These causes often combine to cause the nail edges to penetrate adjacent soft tissue, resulting in inflammation, pain, and possibly infection if untreated.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail may include the toe feeling hard or tender to touch, swelling or redness surrounding the nail, pus or discharge that signals an infection, the toe being warm or hot, and experiencing pain when wearing shoes, walking, or putting any pressure on the foot or toe.
For mild ingrown toenails, a doctor may recommend not cutting the toenail too short, soaking the foot in warm water, using over-the-counter medication, and wearing shoes with a wider toe box. For more severe cases, a doctor may recommend surgical intervention to remove the nail or part of the nail.
Preventing ingrown toenails involves cutting toenails straight across when trimming, wearing comfortable shoes that do not constrict the toes, keeping the feet clean and dry, asking for help with trimming, treating underlying conditions correctly, and preventing excessive sweating.
Ingrown toenails account for around 20% of all foot problems and are most common in children and young adults aged 10-20 and older adults aged 50-60. Recovery from a surgical procedure takes a few weeks, but it may take 2-4 months for the toenail to grow back. Around 2.5-5% of the general population have an ingrown toenail at any one time.
People with diabetes, poor blood circulation, or decreased sensitivity in the feet are more likely to have severe ingrown toenails. For severe ingrown toenails with an accompanying infection, a doctor may recommend using a nail brace, gutter splint, or removing portions of the nail or parts of the nail bed. In some cases, a doctor may use a chemical to remove the nail over several weeks or shorten the distal phalanx, the bone at the tip of the toe.
For those experiencing symptoms of an ingrown toenail, it is essential to keep the foot as dry as possible when not soaking it and to seek medical attention if self-help measures do not work, symptoms get worse, or the toe is not healing after a surgical procedure. It is always best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Maintaining skincare practices isn't just restricted to facial care; taking care of your feet, especially avoiding cutting toenails too short or improperly, can help prevent ingrown toenails, a common health-and-wellness concern.
- In the field of dermatology, ingrown toenails, or onychocryptosis, are medical-conditions that can cause severe pain and possibly infection, especially in those with diabetes, poor blood circulation, or decreased sensitivity in the feet.
- A holistic approach to health-and-wellness involves not just fitness-and-exercise but also skincare routines, ensuring proper foot care to prevent complications like ingrown toenails and promote overall well-being.
