Definition:
An ingrown toenail is a common condition in which the corner or side of one of the toenails grows into the soft flesh of that toe. The result is pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes, an infection. An ingrown toenail usually affects the big toe.
Treatment:
For a recurrent ingrown toenail, the primary doctor or foot doctor may suggest removing a portion of the toenail along with the underlying tissue (nail bed) to prevent that part of the nail from growing back. This procedure can be performed with a chemical, a laser or other methods.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of an include toenail include: pain and tenderness in the toe along one or both sides of the nail, redness around the toenail, swelling of the toe around the toenail, and infection of the tissue around the toenail.
Causes:
Ingrown toenails result when the nail grows into the flesh of the toes, often the big toe. Common causes include wearing shows that crowd the toenails, cutting the toenailes too short or not straight across, injury to the toenail, and thickening of the toenails.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
