Onychocryptosis or ingrown toenails is a nail condition in which the nail edge grows in the periungual dermis causing pain. It can affect the hallux and has a biphasic presentation. When the ingrown toenails start to cause pain, it can hinder you from walking, and worse, you can’t go to work due to the pain. So, it is time to have surgery for ingrown toenails as the best cure for the toenail condition.
Cause of ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails are a common problem, and causes include:
- Poorly fitting footwear
- Infection
- Improperly trimmed toenails
- Trauma
- Heredity
The great toe is the most commonly involved or prone to ingrown toenails with the lateral side involved more than the medial side.
Treatment of onychocryptosis
The doctor recommends one or several treatments depending on the severity of the toenail condition, cause, and underlying conditions. For mild ingrown toenails, the doctor recommends:
- Soak the foot in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a day.
- Keeps the foot as dry as possible when unsoaked
- Wear comfortable sandals and shoes to give your toes a lot of space
- Take over-the-counter pain relief, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Use dental floss to separate the edge of the ingrown toenail
But, these are only natural treatments for ingrown toenails. If the condition is worse or with infection, surgery for ingrown toenails is performed. For a more severe ingrown toenail with accompanying infection, the doctor recommends different treatment or minor surgical procedure or treatment, such as:
- A nail brace is used to lift the nail clear of the skin
- Try a gutter splint as support under the nail to assist it to grow above the edge of the skin
- Removes portions of the nail with overgrown or parts of the nail bed to prevent it from growing back
- Using a chemical to remove the nail for several weeks
- Shortening the distal phalanx, the bone at the toe’s tip
Surgeons work on surgical procedures using local anesthetic. The doctor applies antibiotic ointment on the wound after the surgery. The person also requires oral antibiotics. Recovery from the surgical process takes a few weeks. But, it takes 2-4 months for the toenail from growing.
How to prevent ingrown toenails?
There are some tips to help reduce the risk of ingrown toenail developing:
- Wear comfortable shoes that don’t constrict the toes
- Cut the toenails straight through when trimming
- Keep feet clean and dry
- Ask for help when doing the trimming
- Treat the underlying conditions correctly
Ingrown toenails are not just painful. It can also affect your productivity in a day. But, if you feel that you have this toenail condition, yet are unsure, you can ask a doctor or consult them for a proper diagnosis. Go for the treatment now.
