Ingrowing (Ingrown) Toenails

An ingrowing toenail is a common condition which may cause discomfort or become infected. Various treatments can be given by a doctor or a chiropodist. If there are symptoms of infection around the nail, a doctor should be seen immediately, particularly if one has diabetes, a poor immune system or other foot problems.

What is an ingrowing toenail?

The nail becomes ingrowing when the side of the nail cuts into the skin next to the nail. This can become painful. The skin next to the nail may also become infected or inflamed. Any toe can be affected, but it is usually the big toe. It is a common problem, especially in teenagers and young adults.

What causes ingrowing toenails?

Ingrowing toenails are usually caused by a sharp spike of nail growing into the skin beside it. This can happen as a result of various factors. Not trimming one’s nails correctly, wearing poorly-fitting shoes or tight socks, and sweating a lot (during exercise for example) can all contribute. Shoes which force the toes towards each other encourage the nail to grow into the skin. For example, tight shoes, high heels and pointed-toe shoes. Active, sporty people may be more prone to ingrowing toenails as they sweat more. Ingrowing toenails may occur more often in people who have nails which are deformed in some way. Often there is no apparent reason why it occurs.

It is also more common in people who cut their toenails very short and round. The correct way of cutting nails is straight across . This helps the nail to grow normally and may prevent ingrowing toenails from developing.

Other possible causes are injury to the nail, a fungal infection of the nail, or possibly, medication such as isotretinoin.

When a spike of nail pierces the skin of the toe, it allows the germs that are normally harmlessly present on the skin to get underneath the skin and cause infection.

Indications of an ingrowing toenail

Early on, the skin around the ingrowing nail may become reddened and feel slightly tender. If it progresses and becomes infected, it may become more swollen, red and painful. If the infection gets worse, there may be some yellow or green fluid (pus) oozing from around the nail. It will become even more painful and there may be an overgrowth of skin around the nail.

Therapeutics for an ingrowing toenail

Timely diagnosis

If the ingrowing part of the nail is small, it may be prevented from becoming worse, and sometimes cured, by the following.

The toe should be soaked in water for 10 minutes to soften the folds of skin around the affected nail.

Then, using a cotton wool bud, the skin fold over the ingrown nail should be pushed down and away from the nail. This should be done starting at the root of the nail and the cotton wool bud moved towards the end of the nail. This should be repeated each day for a few weeks, allowing the nail to grow.

As the end of the nail grows forward, a tiny piece of cotton wool or dental floss should be pushed under it to help the nail grow over the skin and not grow into it. The cotton wool or dental floss should be changed each time one  soaks the foot.

The nail should not be cut but allowed to grow forward until it is clear of the end of the toe. Then it should be cut straight across and not rounded off at the end.

There are variations on this method – the principle is to keep the skin from growing over the edge of the nail.

On nail fold becoming infected

Symptoms of infection are increasing pain, swelling and redness near the ingrowing nail, and yellow or green fluid (pus) near the nail or under the nearby skin. If the infection is getting worse, one may have a throbbing pain, redness spreading over the toe, or a high temperature (fever).

Antibiotics may be needed to treat infection. It can also help to soak feet in warm salty water, then carefullydry and rest your feet.

Timely consultation

A doctor should be seen if:

One has persistent and troublesome symptoms from the ingrowing nail.

One has symptoms of infection (as above). If one also has diabetes or a poor immune system, a doctor should be seen urgently urgently, as infections will need treating quickly.

One has a condition affecting the nerves or feeling (sensation) in the foot. For example, if one has loss of feeling due to diabetes (diabetic neuropathy) affecting the feet.. This is because a loss of sensation can make you unaware of problems in the foot, such as a deep infection. So, one will need careful assessment and monitoring.

For persistent ingrowing toenails

It may be necessary to remove part of the nail. The usual procedure is as follows:

The toe is made numb and painless by injecting local anaesthetic into the base of the toe.

The toenail is then cut with scissors longways a few millimetres in from the offending edge.

It is cut right up to the base of the toenail and the offending edge can then be pulled out.

A small amount of acid (called phenol) is often put on the exposed part of the nail bed. This helps to stop the edge of nail regrowing and causing another ingrown nail.

The nail is then dressed.

Once the anaesthetic wears off the toe may be sore so one may need mild painkillers such as paracetamol for a day or so. One will probably have to wear a bandage for about two weeks. During this time one will not be able to have a bath or go swimming. One also will not be able to do any strenuous exercise, such as running. After the operation, the nail will regrow but will be narrower than before.

Obviating ingrowing toenails

Cut your nails straight across; do not cut them too short or too low at the sides. The corner of the nail should be visible above the skin. (Tip: it is easier to cut nails after a bath or shower, when they are soft.)

Keep your feet clean and dry. Let air get to your toes when possible. Avoid tight shoes and use cotton socks rather than synthetic.

If you have diabetes, you should take extra care when cutting your nails:

The nail should be cut straight across or the shape of the end of the toe should be followed , but ne needs to be very careful not to cut too low at the sides as above.

Gently file any sharp edges with a nail file.

If one any loss of feeling in the feet, one should visit a chiropodist (podiatrist) to have one’s nails trimmed, rather than doing it oneself.

If one can’t see one’s feet or nails very well, one should visit a chiropodist (podiatrist) to have the nails trimmed, rather than doing it oneself.