Ingrown toenails is a common foot condition that causes pain, swelling, and redness around the toe. It can be painful to walk or stand on your toes with an ingrown nail. The skin forms an overgrowth called the nail bed and grows into the soft tissue of your toe. Many people experience ingrown toenails at some point in their lives, and more men have the problem than women.
What caused ingrown toenails?
There are many reasons for ingrown toenails, including:
- Pressure on the toe from tight shoes or socks that don’t fit properly.
- Improper trimming of your toenails. This can cause them to grow into the surrounding skin.
- An injury to your toe can cause it to swell and become inflamed, which also makes it more likely that an ingrown nail will develop.
- Inactivity can also cause an ingrown toenail.
What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?
The most common symptom of ingrown toenails is pain. It may be sharp and stabbing, or more of a dull ache. The pain will occur when you walk or put weight on the affected toe. There are also a few more symptoms below:
- Pain and tenderness around the toenail.
- Redness, swelling, and inflammation of the skin surrounding the nail.
- Inflamed lymph nodes in your foot may be present if there is an infection present.
Ingrown Toenails Home Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a common problem that can be treated at home. The first step is to soak your foot in warm water for 10 minutes, three times a day. This softens the skin around the toenail and reduces pain. If you are unable to soak your foot, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage. If the pain is still severe, see your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. You should also wear comfortable shoes with plenty of room for your toes. It’s important to keep your feet dry and cool.
Health Complications of Ingrown Toenails
If an ingrown toenail goes untreated, it can result in complications. The most common complication is infection. In this case, you may experience redness, swelling, and pain around the site of infection. An ingrown toenail can lead to a more serious infection in your body. The bacteria that cause infections thrive in warm, moist environments like sweaty feet. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, you are more susceptible to complications from an ingrown nail.
