Ingrown toenails are a problem of many people and often appear on their feet. In medicine, this ailment is called onychocryptosis. A person with him is in great discomfort. About the causes and treatment of ingrown toenails we will discuss later in the article.
Why does it appear?
The main factor in the appearance of the disease is a hereditary predisposition. In medicine, many cases have been recorded when the ailment appeared in representatives of one family and passed on to the next generation. Some experts refer to the causes of ingrown toenails and the following factors:
- Wearing tight shoes. Due to the squeezing of the fingers, the nail plate cuts into soft tissues, which leads to the appearance of a sore on the skin. As a result, granulation grows.
- Fungal infections. Mycotic lesions of the nail lead to its thickening and deformation, and therefore the plate deepens into soft tissues.
- Injuries. Damage occurs from the fall of heavy objects, walking at your fingertips.
- Features of the structure. Strongly curved underlying bone, flat feet - anatomical factors leading to ingrown toenails. Incorrect processing. When cutting the corners of the nails, sharp edges appear that lead to onychocryptosis.
These are the main factors leading to the disease. But only a doctor can accurately determine its presence, and whatever the cause of the pathology, correct and timely treatment is necessary.
Symptoms
Ailment can affect different fingers. But usually it appears on the big toe. Most often, the outer edge of the nail plate deepens into soft tissue. And since there are many nerve endings in the tissues of the fingertips, they are very sensitive, which is why an ingrown toenail leads to a sharp pain, which can intensify while wearing tight shoes.
Depending on the severity of the pathology, the following symptoms may occur:
- With the first degree of severity, there is a slight soreness, swelling, hyperemia of the nail roller.
- The second stage is characterized by ulceration, purulent-inflammatory process.
- With the third degree, a blood-purulent granuloma appears.
If these symptoms appear, consult a doctor. This is especially important if the ingrown toenail is very sore. The specialist will choose an effective method of treatment, thanks to which it will be possible to quickly get rid of the problem.
The likely consequences of the appearance of an ingrown toenail
With a prolonged course of inflammation due to the granuloma and the hyperplastic side roller, the nail plate undergoes deformation, becomes thickened and dull. The spread of the disease on the tissue of the posterior roller can lead to paronychia, panaritium of the finger, phlegmon, fungal or human papillomavirus infection and other complications, due to which a person may lose his ability to work. So, serious complications include:
- lymphangitis;
- erysipelas;
- finger phalanx osteomyelitis;
- hyperkeratosis;
- malignant process.
Timely and adequate treatment will prevent these consequences. The main thing is that an effective method is chosen.
Treatment methods
Due to insufficient study of the etiology and pathogenesis of this disease is difficult to treat. Its secondary manifestations occur in approximately 30% of patients. Treatment of ingrown toenails should be comprehensive. Treatment can be performed in the following ways:
- conservative;
- surgical;
- orthopedic.
Each of them has its own characteristics, which we will discuss later. But do not self-medicate, it is better to consult a doctor.
Conservative method
If an ingrown toenail is inflamed, then medication is first performed without surgery. Therapy is aimed at combating the purulent-inflammatory process, reducing the intensity of pain in the affected area, preventing plate injury and providing conditions for its growth.
Conservative treatment of ingrown toenails involves the use of lotions with antiseptic solutions, as well as hot baths in potassium permanganate or herbal infusions with anti-inflammatory effects. It is also advisable to use Levomekol, antimicrobial agents, for example, Baneocin, including neomycin. This drug penetrates the nail plate, adversely affecting pathogens, but without affecting wound healing.
The listed procedures must be supplemented by the displacement of inflamed tissues. Under the sharp edge of the nail, gauze strips, rollers soaked in a solution or ointment with antiseptic substances are brought. During treatment, you need to properly cut your nails, observing antiseptic measures, and also wear only loose shoes.
Orthopedic methods
If the toenail begins to grow, the following methods will also be effective. They are based on a gradual extension and increase in the radius of curvature of the nail by changing the direction of tension. Because of this, the edges of the plate rise, moving away from the fabric roller. Softeners are applied to hard places in advance. For orthopedic treatment, individually created staples (Fraser staples) or springs are used. Correction is carried out by plates.
These designs adjust to the curvature of the nail and are attached to it with glue. The duration of treatment is 3-4 months.
If the cause of ingrowth is deformation of the foot bones, then orthoses are needed - medical devices that change the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. These devices eliminate corns that lead to the ingrowth of the nail plate. Orthoses also protect the phalanges of the fingers from pressure and strong friction.
Surgical methods
This treatment is required if conservative therapy is ineffective. How to remove an ingrown toenail surgically? This method is carried out by a wedge-shaped edge resection of a pathological site. In complex cases, resection is performed not only on the problem area, but also on adjacent healthy areas with matrix electrocoagulation.
If the nail has grown into a toe, festering, then the following surgical methods are used:
1. Classic. The operation is performed with a scalpel, so it is traumatic and involves a long rehabilitation. The event is carried out under local anesthesia. In case of inflammation of the lateral ridges before surgery, tamponade of the ingrown area is performed by placing a special material under the corner of the plate, which is impregnated with an antiseptic solution. Surgical removal of the affected area can be performed by the following methods:
- Edge resection. The method allows you to eliminate the affected area at an angle of 45 °. In order to avoid relapses, a bilateral resection of the nail plate is carried out, and the matrix is treated with phenol.
- Selective resection. During the operation, the ingrown corner and sprout zone are eliminated. Compared with other surgical methods, this gives relapse in 2% of cases.
- Full resection. With this method, the nail plate is removed.
- Phenolization. With this method, the germinal zone is also eliminated, after which the plate does not grow back.
2. Radio waves. The operation is carried out with the installation of "Surgitron." Due to the high accuracy of the radio knife, it will be possible to prevent thermal damage to healthy tissues of the nail. This event requires local anesthesia. A radio knife, outwardly similar to a stick with a loop, cuts through the skin without touching it and eliminates the damaged area. Then the doctor processes the germinal area, after which the sutures may not overlap. The treated area will heal in a few days.
3. The laser method. With this procedure, evaporation and dissection of pathological inflammation is performed. The procedure consists of 3 stages. First, the corrected place is treated with an analgesic. Then the damaged area is removed so that the nail plastic has found its normal width. At the end, deep reorganization of the lateral wall of the finger is carried out. Photocoagulating action protects against bleeding. The method allows you to carefully eliminate granulation, so as not to severely injure nearby tissue. The laser produces a strong antimicrobial effect, so secondary infection is excluded. The recovery period is 2-3 days. It should be noted that this effect on the toe with an ingrown nail is considered to be the most effective.
Surgery should only be prescribed by a doctor. A correctly performed procedure quickly leads to recovery.
Traditional medicine
Ingrown nails on the little fingers of the feet and other fingers can be eliminated if the disease is at the initial stage, when the pain syndrome is not very pronounced. You should not wear tight shoes during this period. And if loved ones have at least some medical knowledge, you can raise a corner that cut into the skin.
To do this, you need a cotton swab, which is placed on the place that appeared after the displacement. After a warm bath it is necessary to advance the lining material further. Flagella should be changed every day.
If the toenail grows into the skin, then treatment is performed to eliminate the problem:
- Butter. Feet should be steamed in a soda solution. Sore spots should be treated with butter, covered with gauze and polyethylene, and then bandaged with fingers and leave everything overnight. In the morning, the dressing is removed, and the legs must be steamed in saline. It is necessary to raise the ingrown corner and place a cotton swab under it. The procedure must be performed daily for 2 weeks before the growth of the plate.
- Aloe. A fresh sheet must be cut, and then attached to the problem area and bandaged. The product is left overnight. In the morning you should cut off the protruding stratum corneum and attach a new sheet. The procedure is carried out before the nail regrowth.
- Honey-onion compress. It is necessary to grind the onion until gruel, and then add honey (1 tbsp. L.). Steam the legs and treat the composition with a bandage. Perform procedures every night for 10 days, and in the morning raise the ingrown edge.
- Baths with infusions of medicinal herbs. It will take chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula flowers (2 tbsp. L.). Raw materials need to be poured with boiling water and let it brew for 30 minutes. In strained infusion, the feet are kept for 20-30 minutes. Then you should lift the steamed ingrown edge of the nail on the big toe and place a piece of gauze under it. Activities should be carried out every day for 2 weeks.
Eliminate the ingrown nail on its own only at the initial stages of the disease. If the inflammation takes on a severe course, the problem is eliminated surgically. In this case, traditional medicine is ineffective, moreover, when using its means, re-infection is likely.
Prevention
It is important to choose the right shoes and perform quality foot care. To prevent ingrowth, you need to adhere to the advice of orthopedists. Experts recommend wearing comfortable shoes that have a wide front. It will not hamper the movement of fingers and lead to the growth of cones, calluses.
How to cut ingrown toenails? This should be done without removing the corners - so that the edge of the plate creates a straight line. To prevent the disease, it is advisable to do a medical pedicure every month. It involves hardware processing of nails, nail rollers with frescoes. Then, between the plate and the lateral soft tissues, to absorb and lift the painful corner, capolin is laid - a soft tissue that is used for tamponade of the ingrown edge.
In order to prevent complications, at the first signs of an ailment, you need to contact a surgeon or podologist. The specialist will assess the neglect of the process, and then send him for a blood test, probably recommending to establish the level of glucose.
If you suspect a nail fungus, it is important to visit a dermatologist who will be prescribed the appropriate treatment.
Shoe selection
In order to avoid problems with the legs, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules:
- Legs will be healthy only with appropriate shoes. In it, the feet should be dry and comfortable.
- In hot weather, wear breathable shoes to protect your feet from overheating. Otherwise, an unpleasant odor occurs, and then a fungus develops.
- In winter, keep your feet warm and dry. It is better to choose waterproof high boots and wool socks, otherwise there is a risk of frostbite.
Feet care
In order to avoid ingrowth, it is necessary to perform quality foot care:
- Legs become contaminated faster than other parts of the body. If bathing takes place in the morning, then rinse the feet and before going to bed. Cleansing procedures protect against the appearance of fungus.
- Wash your feet with warm water and a detergent, which eliminates bacteria, sweat and dirt. It is necessary to carefully wash the spaces between the fingers, since the fungus appears there.
- Feet should be wiped dry, carefully wiping the recesses. If open shoes are worn in the summer, you need to pay more attention to the nails, brushing them with a soft brush and soap.
After water procedures, you need to moisturize your legs and feet, treating them with a nourishing cream or lotion, this will make the skin soft. You can use cosmetic petroleum jelly - after applying it, you must wear socks. It is important to keep track of the amount of formulation, as excessive application leads to fungus.
It is still necessary to eliminate the cuticle. To soften it, essential oil is used, which will protect against skin rupture in this place. You need to regularly care for the cuticle. First, it is steamed with a herbal bath, and then it is pushed to the base of the finger with an orange stylus.
Proper nail clipping
It is important to perform this procedure correctly:
- Trim your nails once every 3-4 weeks. This ensures their health. If the event is carried out incorrectly, then not only an ingrown nail, but also painful sensations may appear.
- First you need to perform steaming, and cut the free edge in a straight line.
- Make nails rounded in shape thanks to a special file. Cut the plate should be without rounding. No need to trim the nails under the root.
Thus, ingrown nails are a common problem, especially on the feet. It is necessary to follow the rules of prevention in order to prevent this phenomenon. But if it appeared, it is important to take effective measures to eliminate it.