Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail is a common painful condition that arises when a piece of nail digs into the side of the toe, penetrating the skin. While anyone can be affected, teenagers and young adults are more likely to experience this condition, with the big toenail being a common site. The pain can be intense, causing misery and making even the slightest touch painful. Thus, it can have a negative impact on quality of life. The risk of infection increases the longer it is left untreated, therefore it is important that you seek professional help from a podiatrist sooner rather than later. As a leading UK clinic, Raymond Nash can help you get moving around again pain free.

Ingrown Toenail Facts

Ingrown toenails can occur in any toenail, but the big toenails are most commonly affected. Males tend to be more susceptible to ingrown toenails than females. Anyone can be affected, but young adults, teens and the sporty tend to be most commonly impacted. Two leading causes of ingrown toenails are improper nail trimming and poorly fitted shoes. Those with fungal nail infections should consider having the infection treated, as fungal nails can also be a cause of ingrown toenails.

Treatment

If you have a suspected ingrown toenail, it’s best to seek professional care from a podiatrist. Your podiatrist will explain to you the two options that you have. These are partial nail evulsion (PNA) which involves removal of part of the nail, or a total nail evulsion (TNA) which involves removal of the entire nail. This procedure is not only important to alleviate the pain, but also to avoid the onset of infection, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with diabetes.