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What is Ingrown Nails?
Ingrown toenails are a common health problem that occurs when the natural shape and structure of the nail deteriorates, putting pressure on the underlying skin tissue and growing by curling. This condition, which is usually seen in the big toe, can cause symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling in the affected area. If not treated in time, the risk of infection also increases.
What Causes Ingrown Nails?
Ingrown toenails can develop due to any event, condition or disease that causes the natural structure of the nail to deteriorate.
There are many factors that can cause ingrown nails. Below, we will examine these factors in more detail:
Nail Cutting;
- Wrong Nail Cut: Cutting your nails round or too short instead of straight can cause the nail edges to curl inward and dig into the tissue.
- Not Cutting the Nail Corners: Not cutting the nail corners or cutting them too much can also cause ingrown nails.
Nail Trauma;
- Impact or Impact: Hitting your foot or receiving a blow can deform the nail and cause it to sink.
- Nail Breakage: Broken nail pieces can also sink into the tissue and cause ingrown toenails.
Infections;
- Nail Fungus: Nail fungus can damage the nail structure and cause ingrown toenails.
- Other Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can also affect the nail structure and cause ingrown toenails.
shoes;
- Narrow and Tight Shoes: Narrow and tight shoes can put pressure on the nails and cause ingrown toenails.
- High Heeled Shoes: High-heeled shoes can create excessive pressure on the toes, causing stinging.
Systemic Diseases;
- Iron Deficiency Anemia: Iron deficiency anemia can cause nails to weaken and become brittle, leading to ingrown toenails.
- Liver or Kidney Diseases: Liver or kidney diseases can also affect the nail structure and cause ingrown toenails.
Other Factors;
- Adolescence: Increased sweating and hormonal changes during adolescence can soften the nail tissue, making it prone to ingrown toenails.
- Inadequate Nail Care: Lack of regular nail care can also lead to ingrown toenails.
- Some Physical Activities: Physical activities that increase the risk of foot pressure, such as running or playing football, can also cause stinging.
Who Gets Ingrown Toenails Most Commonly?
Ingrown toenails are a condition that affects people of all ages. But it increases especially in the following cases:
- The risk increases during adolescence and old age, when there are many physical changes.
- Hormonal changes and increased sweating during adolescence can soften the nail structure, making it prone to ingrown toenails.
- In the elderly, nails may become thicker and more brittle, leading to ingrown toenails.
- Ingrown toenails are more common in men and women who tend to wear narrow and tight shoes.
- In people who work on their feet for a long time, the pressure and fatigue in the feet can lead to ingrown toenails.
- Some athletes, such as runners, football players and basketball players, are more prone to ingrown toenails due to repetitive impacts and foot pressure.
What are the Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails?
Symptoms of ingrown toenails may vary depending on the severity of the condition and accompanying comorbidities.
The most common symptoms of ingrown toenails are:
- Pain: Throbbing or sharp pain at the nail edge and affected finger
- Redness: Redness and tenderness around the nail edge and affected finger
- Swelling: Swelling and edema at the nail edge and the affected finger
- Infection: In case of infection, pus accumulation, discharge and fever may occur.
- Nail Deformations: Nail curling, abnormal nail shape, nail color change, increased nail thickness, cracks or breaks in the nail structure.
- Other Symptoms:
- Skin discoloration: Bruising around the nail edge and affected finger
- Sensitivity in finger movements: Extreme sensitivity in the finger, especially when pressure is applied or received a blow.
- Weakness: General weakness and fatigue if the infection is advanced
- If you are experiencing symptoms of ingrown toenail, early treatment is very important to prevent the infection from increasing and progressing.
What to Do in the Treatment of Ingrown Nail?
Especially in people with an underlying health problem such as diabetes, even if a mild ingrown toenail occurs, precautions should be taken and a doctor should be consulted.
In other mild cases, some simple home remedies may help relieve the ingrown hair. These methods are:
Methods that can be applied at home:
- Soaking the nail in warm water to soften it.
- Lifting the nail edge with cotton or gauze.
- Applying antibiotic ointment.
Treatments Applied by the Doctor in More Severe Cases:
- Cutting the ingrown nail piece: The doctor can cut the ingrown nail piece using special tools.
- Surgical intervention: In more severe cases, the doctor may require surgical intervention to completely remove the ingrown nail.
Other Treatment Methods Offered at MSM Clinic:
- Medical and surgical intervention: Depending on the condition and severity of ingrown toenail, medical or surgical intervention may be applied.
- Orthopedic nail correction: Orthopedic nail correction devices can be used in cases where the nail structure is damaged.
- Home care recommendations: Home care recommendations are given to patients to prevent ingrown nails from recurring.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Ingrown Nails?
To prevent ingrown toenails, it is important to cut your nails straight and with rounded corners, avoid tight and tight shoes, keep your feet clean and dry, check your nails regularly and consult a doctor if you notice any changes. Also, if you have diabetes or other chronic diseases, you need to have your feet checked regularly.
MSM Clinic is a health center specializing in the treatment of ingrown toenails. Our experienced doctors create a personalized treatment plan for each patient and choose the most appropriate treatment method. We offer effective and permanent solutions to ensure that you take healthy and painless steps.
