Ingrown toenails can be extremely uncomfortable for those who have them. They are caused when the edge of the toenail begins to grow downward into the skin surrounding it. Ingrown toenails are most commonly found in teenagers and the elderly. The reason why they are usually found in teens is because of sweat. Sweat causes the skin to swell and become and moist, which causes it to split. This allows for an ingrown toenail to occur. They are also common in the elderly because their nails are thick and hard. The thickness and hardness of their nails makes them harder to cut and causes pressure on the surrounding skin.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Joshua David Scoll of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
- Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
- Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
- Genetic predisposition
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Philadelphia and Bensalem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
