An ingrown toenail is the growth of one side of the nail or the tip of the nail into the flesh around the nail. This condition is characterized by pain, swelling, and redness in the area around the ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenail most commonly occurs on the big toe.
Ingrown toenail is a common condition. Generally, this condition is not dangerous if there is no previous blood flow disorder or diabetes. Ingrown toenails cause pain, especially when walking and wearing shoes. If left unchecked or improper handling, infection can occur.
Causes of Incognito
Abnormal nail growth, which grows inward into the skin and compresses the surrounding skin and flesh tissue, is a common cause of ingrown toenails. This condition can occur due to various things, namely:
- Cutting nails the wrong way, such as too short or penetrating to the edge of the nail
- Wearing shoes or socks that are too tight or too tight can put pressure on the toenails, causing the nail to grow into the skin
- Lack of attention to foot hygiene, using footwear when the condition of the feet is wet or sweaty
- Having a nail injury, for example from tripping, being hit by a heavy object, or receiving repeated pressure, such as kicking a ball
- Have unusual nail shapes, such as curved toenails, so that they have the potential to grow and pierce into the flesh around the nail
- Having a fungal infection of the nails
In addition, a number of the following conditions can also increase a person's risk of developing ingrown toenails:
- Have a history of ingrown toenails in the family
- Having a profession that requires repeated pressure on nails, such as athletes
- Have a condition that causes your feet to sweat more easily, such as hyperhidrosis
People who suffer from diabetes or blood flow disorders are prone to damage to the skin, making them prone to ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails in diabetics are also more at risk of complications if not treated in the right way.
Cantengan can be experienced by anyone, but is more common in people over 50 years old. This is because as you age, your toenails will soften.
Indigestion Symptoms
Ingrown toenails are characterized by the appearance of pain, swelling, and redness of the fingers, especially next to the nails. The following are symptoms or complaints that can arise due to ingrown toenails:
- Ingrown toenails are painful to the touch or pressure, such as when wearing shoes.
- The skin around the ingrown toenail swells, turns red, and hardens.
- There is a buildup of fluid around the ingrown toenail.
- Discharge of blood or pus from the skin near the ingrown toenail.
If an ingrown toenail is accompanied by an infection, the sufferer may experience a fever, malaise, or fever.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you have an ingrown toenail. The sooner it is handled, the complaints and discomfort you feel will subside more quickly. Also immediately consult a doctor if the ingrown toenail is accompanied by infection, which is characterized by swelling, discharge of pus and a bad odor, even fever.
If you have diabetes, don't delay getting tested if you see signs of inflammation in your fingers. Ingrown toenails that do not get proper treatment can lead to more serious complications, especially if they are experienced by people with diabetes or diseases that cause poor blood flow.
Indigestion Diagnosis
To diagnose an ingrown toenail, the doctor will ask about the patient's complaints and symptoms. After that, the doctor will conduct an examination to see in more detail the inflammation and infection that occurs in the nail area.
These steps are generally sufficient to diagnose an ingrown toenail. However, in some severe cases, the doctor may suggest that the patient perform X-rays to determine the cause of the ingrown toenail and how deep the nail has penetrated the flesh.
Indigestion Treatment
Treatment of ingrown toenails is done to relieve complaints, overcome the cause, prevent recurrence in the future, and prevent complications. If not accompanied by infection, ingrown toenail can be treated independently.
However, if the complaint does not subside, there are visible signs of infection, or occurs in someone who has diabetes or impaired blood flow, then an ingrown toenail needs to be treated by a doctor.
Handling ingrown toenails independently
Handling ingrown toenails can be done independently in the following ways:
- Clean your feet with soap and water regularly.
- Soak your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes 3-4 times a day.
- Take pain relievers, such as paracetamol.
- Keep your feet moist and dry and don't wear shoes and socks that are too tight and narrow.
- Use open-toed footwear, such as sandals, so your nails don't come under pressure.
Some people may suggest tucking a cotton swab in the gap between the fingernail and the skin. However, this action is not completely safe and effective because it can increase the risk of infection in the finger. In addition, you should not cut the nails that stick or enter the skin.
Ingrown toenail treatment by a doctor
Ingrown toenails that do not get better, are infected, recur frequently, or are experienced by people with certain diseases, such as diabetes, require treatment from a doctor. This condition should not be treated independently, because it can increase the risk of complications.
To treat an ingrown toenail, the doctor will perform surgery to remove part or all of the nail. The choice of type of surgery will be adjusted to the patient's condition, but what is more often done is surgery to remove part of the nail.
After undergoing surgery, the doctor will ask the patient to take several steps to speed up recovery, namely:
- Elevate the ingrown area when lying down, for example by supporting the leg with a pillow while sleeping
- Limiting activity or movement of ingrown toenails during recovery
- Use open-toed footwear that doesn't put pressure on the ingrown toenail
- Soak the feet with salt water every day until the ingrown toenail heals
- Using drugs that are given by the doctor on a regular basis
Partially removed nails usually grow back within a few months. While a completely removed nail takes about 1 year to grow back.
Handsome Complications
If not treated immediately, ingrown toenails can lead to a variety of complications, including:
- Infection that spreads to other parts of the foot even to the bones
- paronychia
- Ulcers appear
- Blocked blood flow
- Nerve damage
- Network death (gangrene)
Indigestion Prevention
There are several ways that can be done to prevent ingrown toenails, including:
- Avoid cutting your nails in an arc that follows the curve of your fingertips. Trim your nails straight and not too short.
- Use shoes that fit, are comfortable, and safe.
- Be careful in activities and sports, especially those at risk of causing injury to the toenails.
- Keep your feet clean by diligently washing them, applying moisturizer, and making sure they are dry before wearing footwear.
- Check with your doctor regularly if you have special conditions that have the potential to cause ingrown toenails, such as curved toenails or nails that are too thick.