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ingrown

Bodyhealthhygiene

Effective Ways to Prevent Ingrown Toenails

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Ingrown toenails or onychrocryptosis is the condition where the nails (usually that of the big toe) digs and grows deep into the edges of the nails instead of outside.

Ingrown toenails can be very painful and are often characterized by swelling, redness, and inflammation.

The condition can also be attributed to numerous causes. To know some of the most common causes of ingrown toenail, click here.

When infected, it can be uncomfortable and can make moving around highly uncomfortable.

While seemingly harmless, ingrown toenails should not be taken lightly or left unattended.

Treatment course for the condition will often depend on the severity.

For instance, in mild cases, conventional treatment may suffice.

For severe cases (especially if infection is already involved), and ingrown toenail surgery might be more apt.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can keep ingrown toenails from occurring, some of which are mentioned below:

Be extra careful when trimming your toenails. The same caution should also be exercised even if you are having other people trim your nails for you at the salon. Don’t trim your nails so close to the nail bed as this might result to a wound that will eventually lead to infection. Ideally, do trim your nail right across. Also, ensure you do not cut too low.

Always wear comfortable footwear. At all times, ensure you wear shoes that fit properly and have enough room for your toes to breathe. Footwear that put too much pressure on your toes may cause your nails to grow into the tissue instead of outwards. This can make a world of difference especially if you already have foot problems to begin with.

Keep toenails at reasonable length. Keeping your toenails at good length is not only hygienic but it can also minimize pressure on the toes. It can also help ensure the nails do not dig in the surrounding tissues. Also, if your job puts your feet at risk for damage or injuries, make sure you wear appropriate shoes that help guarantee they are protected at all times.

Make it a habit to check your feet. Checking your feet on a consistent basis is especially vital if you have other medical conditions (i.e. diabetes) that can prevent faster healing. In line with this, make it a habit to regularly check for any signs of ingrown toenails and other foot issues.

While ingrown toenail surgery is oftentimes not the first option, it is often the recommended resort when the risk of complications becomes high.

When visiting your podiatrist or doctor, ensure you come prepared and you have all the bases covered.

Get your preparation off to a superb start by asking your doctor or surgeon the following questions:

  • What are other likely treatment options?
  • What are the pros and cons of each option?
  • It is okay to wait if the condition goes away sans treatment?
  • Is ingrown toenail surgery necessary?
  • Is the condition temporary or long-term?
  • What nail care routines are recommended while healing?

Ingrown toenails are often not a cause of worry as long as attended to right away. Sans proper treatment however, it can go differently. To keep any discomfort and complications at bay, make sure the condition is given proper attention and treated accordingly and ensure you get treatment from the specialists at www.bjios.sg.

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Ingrown toenails occur when the corner or the side of the toenail grows into the soft flesh
Bodyhealthhygiene

Effective Way to Prevent Ingrown Toenails

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

A common condition that often affects the big toe is called ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails occur when the corner or the side of the toenail grows into the soft flesh.

Although seemingly harmless, sans treatment, ingrown toenails can sometimes result to infection.

In worse case scenarios, it might even require ingrown toenail surgery.

To keep ingrown toenail (and its complications) at bay, keep in mind the following helpful tips:

Make sure your footwear fits properly.

Nails that grow into the surrounding tissue can be the result of too much pressure placed on the toes. In most instances, the pressure can be attributed to wearing footwear that do not fit properly.

At all times, it is recommended that you only wear and purchase properly fitted shoes.

This is especially helpful if you also have other foot problems to take care of.

When possible, buy shoes from stores that specialize in fitting footwear for those individuals with foot issues.

Trim your nails straight across.

Ideally, when trimming your toenails, make it a point not to curve it to match your front toe’s shape.

If you will have your toenails trimmed at the salon, make it a point to instruct the pedicurist to trim your nails right across.

If you are suffering from a condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet, it would be ideal to have a podiatrist do your trimming on your behalf.

Ensure you do not trim your nails too short.

Apart from ensuring you trim the nails right across, it is also advisable that nails are not trimmed too short

Apart from ensuring you trim the nails right across, it is also advisable that nails are not trimmed too short.

As with everything else, moderation is always the key.

In other words, moderate length should be the goal—not too long and not too short.

While trimming the nails too short might seem like the ideal option at first glance, nothing can be farther from the truth.

In fact, it might even prove counterproductive.

When the toenails are trimmed too short, pressure from the shoes might cause the toenail to grow into the surrounding tissue.

Wear/use protective footwear when needed.

If you are susceptible to foot injuries while at work or at play, be sure to wear proper footwear.

For instance, if there is a high possibility of foot injuries while at work, wearing steel-toed footwear is ideal.

However, if you already have an ingrown toenail, seeking medical attention is required especially if the following symptoms will manifest:

  • Severe discomfort
  • Pus or redness in the affected area
  • If you have diabetes, infection, foot sore, or other conditions that will cause poor blood flow to the feet

Sans proper attention and treatment, ingrown toenails can cause infection and can affect the underlying bone. In other cases, it can even lead to serious bone infection.

Complications from ingrown toenails can be especially severe for people with diabetes. The condition can make any foot injury (even the minor ones) from healing properly.

Although ingrown toenail surgery is always not the first option recommended by doctors, it can become the primary option when the risk of complications is high.

When visiting your doctor or podiatrist, it is crucial that you come prepared so you will have all the bases covered.

When possible, prepare a list of questions you will ask so you will know all the essentials.

The following questions should make it to your list:

  • Is the condition going away on its own a possibility?
  • What treatment options are available?
  • What are the pros and cons of each treatment alternative?
  • Would ingrown toenail surgery be required?
  • Is the condition temporary or long-term?
  • What are the recommended nail care routines while healing?

Ingrown toenails are mostly harmless, given they are attended to right away.

Sans treatment however, it can be a different story.

The good news is discomfort and complications brought about by ingrown toenails are avoidable if attention and treatment are given right away before it escalates.

To ensure your ingrown toenail is managed properly, head to www.bjios.sg now.

 

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An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail grows into the skin as opposed to over it
Bodyhygiene

Ingrown Toenails: Common Symptoms

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail grows into the skin as opposed to over it.

While the condition often only affects the big toe, there are times when it can also develop in the other toes.

While ingrown toenails can affect just about anyone, the condition is more common among adults than in children.

Ingrown toenails are also especially common among older adults.

People with curved or thick nails are also more susceptible to ingrown toenails.

When infected, the affected toenail can become swollen and red and may drain pus.

It can also become extremely painful and uncomfortable.

Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment approach can range from home care remedies to ingrown toenail surgery.

Causes

Some of the most common causes of ingrown toenail include:

  • Toenails that are unusually curved
  • Toenails that are cut too short
  • Wearing of shoes that crowds the toenail
  • Toenails that are not cut straight across
  • Toenail injuries

Symptoms

Common signs that indicate ingrown toenail include but are not limited to the following:

  • Swelling
  • Tissue infection
  • Redness around the toenail that is affected
  • Pain and tenderness on the sides of the nail

Alarming symptoms that will require a visit to the doctor include:

  • Severe discomfort and pain
  • Redness that appears to be spreading
  • Pus in the area affected
  • If patient has diabetes or other medical conditions that can result to poor blood flow to the feet

Complications

Left untreated or undetected, ingrown toenails can lead to a serious bone infection that might affect the underlying bone

Left untreated or undetected, ingrown toenails can lead to a serious bone infection that might affect the underlying bone.

The condition can also result to severe complications for those who have diabetes.

In some cases, it can even lead to nerve damage.

For patients with diabetes, even a foot injury that is minor in nature—cut, corn, callus, scrape, and an ingrown toenail—may become infected and can lead to other complications.

Appointment

Diabetic patients or those with alarming symptoms and are suffering from ingrown toenails should consider visiting the doctor a must.

Since doctor visits can sometimes be brief, it is recommended that patients come prepared so they can make the most out of the visit.

As a general rule of thumb, preparing a list of questions would be ideal.

Some of the key questions you can ask should include the following:

  • What are the pros and cons of each treatment option?
  • What are the possible treatment alternatives?
  • Is the condition temporary or chronic?
  • Will the condition heal on its own sans medical intervention?
  • What results can patients expect after the treatment?
  • What nail routine should be observed while the toe is healing?

Likewise, the session would be more beneficial if patients come prepared for likely questions the doctor will ask like:

  • When did the symptoms manifest?
  • What at home remedies have been tried?
  • Do you have diabetes or other medical conditions that causes poor blood flow to the legs and feet?

Treatment

Mild cases of the condition will often respond to home remedies.

However, for severe cases, ingrown toenail surgery will most likely be the recommended option.

  • Nail and tissue removal. If the condition has affected the same toe more than once, the doctor will most likely recommend removing a portion of the nail as well as the nail bed. The procedure can help ensure the affected nail does not grow back.
  • Partial nail removal. Cases that manifest alarming symptoms like redness, pain, swelling, and pus, the doctor will likely recommend removing or at least trimming a portion of the nail. Before the procedure, an anesthetic will be administered in order to numb the toe that will be operated on.

While ingrown toenails may seem harmless, they can get bothersome and uncomfortable without proper attention and treatment. Avoid ingrown toenail discomfort and pain by checking with www.bjios.sg today.

 

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Bodyhealthhygiene

Ingrown Toenail: What are the Common Causes

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

When the edges or the corners of the nail will grow into the skin, a condition known as ingrown toenail develops.

In most cases, given that there is no infection, ingrown toenail will often respond to home remedies.

However, when the toenail has pierced the skin or when the affected toe has become infected, ingrown toenail surgery might be recommended.

Unfortunately, those with diabetes and other medical conditions that will cause poor circulation are at a higher risk for ingrown toenail complications.

Causes

Ingrown toenail can be attributed to a lot of causes, some of which include the following:

  • Irregular and curved toenails
  • Toenails that are cut straight across
  • Injuries
  • Lack of foot hygiene
  • Footwear that put pressure on the big toes
  • Socks and stockings that are too tight may also lead to ingrown toenail

Symptoms

Ingrown toenail can be very excruciating.

In some cases, it can get infected when left unattended.

That being said, treating it the soonest possible time is recommended.

In the early stages, common symptoms that will develop can include:

  • Pain when pressure is put on the affected area
  • Tenderness and swelling of the skin that is next to the nail infected
  • Noticeable fluid buildup around the toe affected

Once the affected toe becomes infected, some of the symptoms that will manifest may include:

  • Swelling and redness
  • Pus
  • Pain
  • Skin overgrowth
  • Bleeding

Diagnosis

In many cases, the condition can be diagnosed through physical examination.

However, once the affected toe becomes infected, an X-ray might be recommended.

An X-ray may also be necessary when:

  • Pain becomes severe
  • The condition was caused by an injury
  • Patient has a history of chronic infection

Treatment

If there is no infection, home remedies are often enough.

However, if signs of infection manifest or if the toenail has pierced the skin, seeking medical attention would be recommended.

Home Remedies

Treatment of ingrown toenail at home can involve:

  • Soaking the feet in warm water at least 3 to 4 times each day
  • Pushing the skin from the toenail edge using cotton balls that are soaked in olive oil
  • Using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen to help alleviate the pain
  • Applying topical antibiotic to help combat infection

Surgical Treatment

In case the condition will not respond to home remedies, an ingrown toenail surgery will be the recommended treatment alternative.

Nail and tissue removal – if the condition has manifested more than once, removing the underlying tissue or the nail bed as well as a portion of the nail will be done. This is done to ensure the nail’s affected part will no longer grow back.

Partial nail removal – if symptoms like pus, pain, swelling, and redness will manifest, the doctor will likely remove or trim a portion of the nail. An anesthetic will be given to numb the affected toe before the procedure is carried out.

After Surgery

After the procedure, patients will be sent home with a bandaged toe.

Raising the foot for at least a day or two after the surgery will be likely recommended.

On the second day, the bandage is often removed.

Patients will also be instructed to wear open-toed shoes for the time being.

Saltwater soaks may also be prescribed until the toe heals.

Painkillers will be given to ease the pain and antibiotics will be given to keep any infection from developing.

Prevention

In order to prevent ingrown toenail from developing, the following tips should be kept in mind:

  • Make sure the nails are trimmed straight across and the edges are not curved in
  • Refrain from trimming the nails too short
  • Wear footwear, socks, and stockings that fit properly
  • When working in a hazardous environment, protect the feet by wearing steel-toed boots

If you have a problem with ingrown toenail, visit www.bjios.sg for appropriate help with the management and treatment of the condition.

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