Ingrown Toenail/s (Onychocryptosis)

Ingrown toenails are a commonly occurring, painful condition whereby the nail grows into the skin at the side of the toe (nail sulcus). Often the piece of nail will break the skin, allowing bacteria to enter the wound and create an infection.

The toe will appear red and swollen with pain resulting from pressure applied to the area.

Causes

The primary cause of an in growing toenail is often the result of improper cutting. Nails should only be cut straight accross the top, if they are cut down the side, this often leads to them becoming ingrown.

The second most common cause is tight shoes which tend to force the nail into the sulcus.

The third cause is trauma to the nail. A piece of nail may fragment and imbed itself in to the side of the toe if for example a heavy object is dropped on the area or the nail is stood upon.

Self Help

Although the piece of nail will need to be removed for the condition to be completely resolved, these self measures can help.

• Wash the toe in a luke warm saline solution (small amout of table salt in water will suffice).
• Apply a antiseptic to the area. eg. Savlon, TCP, Betadine.
• Gently place a thin piece of cotton wool down the side of the nail.
• Apply a sterile gauze dressing to the toe.

Treatment

The chiropodist/podiatrist will first of all clean the toe with an antiseptic solution then the offending piece of nail will be removed from the side of the toe, with or without an anaesthetic. The area will then be thoroughly cleaned out with a sterile saline solution and dressed with an appropriate sterile dressing.

Note

Please do not attempt to remove the nail spur yourself! Your professional chiropodist is specially trained to carry out such work and has the correct equipment, clinical environment and medication to successfully carry out the task.

[Back to Sports Injuries]