An ingrown toenail happens when a portion of the toenail curves into the flesh of the toe and imbeds itself in the soft tissue. It can occur on any of the toes, but usually occurs on one of the big toes.
The most common causes of an ingrown toenail are:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The main risk factor for ingrown toenails is having family members with ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails often cause no symptoms at first. Eventually, the following symptoms may develop at the site of the ingrown toenail:
In almost all cases, you or your doctor can diagnose an ingrown toenail based on the location and the symptoms. In rare cases, you may need an x-ray . For example, if your doctor suspects the infection may have spread to the toe bone.
You may be able to treat an ingrown toenail yourself if you catch it early. But if the condition gets worse or does not improve, you will need to seek medical care. If you have diabetes, you must seek medical attention for any infection or wound involving your feet or toes.
Your doctor may recommend the following treatments :
If you repeatedly get ingrown toenails, or your ingrown toenail is severe, the doctor may:
To help prevent ingrown toenails:
RESOURCES:
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
http://www.aofas.org
American Podiatric Medical Association
http://www.apma.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Calgary Foot Clinic
http://www.foottalk.com
Podiatrists in Canada
http://www.footdoctors.ca/
References:
American Podiatric Medical Association website. Available at: http://www.apma.org.
Roberts JR, et al. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine . 4th ed. Saunders; 2004.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information—Home Edition . Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.
Last reviewed November 2008 by John C. Keel, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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