How to deal with ingrown nails?

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Ingrown nails are a problem for many people. The health trouble of this type affects both men and women. It is the most common disease of toenails

This type of disease is associated with ingrowth of the nail plate into the skin, which causes considerable pain and swelling. Inflammation in such situations is a very common condition that results from the pressure of the nail on the skin surface. Nail ingrowth mostly affects people who are in the age range of 25 to 35 years. It is noticeable that the number of men suffering from this condition is significantly higher than the number of women. If left untreated, the condition can cause not only discomfort but also considerable pain when walking. How to treat ingrown nails? What can be done to prevent it? To these and many other questions you will find the answer in the article

Ingrown nail – symptoms

The most common symptom of an ingrown nail is pain, which occurs when walking or pressing on the fingertips. This is just the initial stage, which should not be ignored, because neglecting the ingrown nail, can result in the occurrence of swelling and the discharge of purulent fluids. Inflammation combined with severe pain must be consulted with a doctor, who will help get rid of the abscess and reduce the degree of pain. It is worth knowing that an ingrown nail can cause swelling on both one and two edges of the nail. This condition occurs much more often in the lateral edges of the fingers than in the middle ones.

Causes of ingrown nails

There are many reasons for the appearance of ingrown nails and they mainly concern the level of personal hygiene and his physique. The most common cause of ingrown toenails is improper trimming, through which sharp edges are created at the corners of the nails. This leads to the formation of so-called granulation tissue, which causes painful dermatitis and swelling

The main causes of ingrown nails include

  • wearing shoes that are too tight,
  • improper foot hygiene,
  • excessive sweating,
  • taking medications that affect the state of the nail structure

It is worth knowing these causes, to be able to react quickly enough and do everything to prevent them.

How to diagnose and treat an ingrown toenail?

The diagnosis and treatment of an ingrown nail is based on a physical analysis of the site and the identification of clinical features. It does not require laboratory or radiographic tests. It is worth knowing that the methods of diagnosis and treatment depend on the stage in which the disease is currently located.

In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Before the targeted treatment, the doctor conducts a simple history with the patient, which includes:

  • the level of severity of the disease and pain,
  • any allergies to medications,
  • comorbidities,
  • currently taken pharmaceuticals

An interesting fact is that for the final assessment of the patient’s condition is very helpful so-called Scholz classification.

In the case of ingrown nails, it is very important to properly cut them “straight” and to put a fairly wide shoes. Sometimes the podiatrist also applies tamponade – a special bandage between the nail plate and the nail shaft. The plate lifts a bit, so that the nail grows properly. There are also special clips glued to the nail plate to “push” the nail shaft apart so it has room to grow.

What are the consequences of neglecting ingrown nails?

If a person suffering from such a condition neglects treatment and diagnosis, it can result in the deterioration of the toe. In this case, a surgical procedure will be necessary, after which it is necessary to undergo convalescence. So, it is worth taking care of proper treatment of an ingrown toenail so that you do not worsen your condition. Proper personal hygiene, well-fitting shoes, and proper toenail trimming will minimize the risk of developing this condition.

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