Ingrown toenails are known to physicians as onychocryptosis. They are common, painful conditions that occur when the skin on the side of a toenail grows over the edge of the nail, or when the nail grows into the skin.

Ingrown toenails can develop for many reasons. In some cases, the toenails are simply too large. Persons whose toes curl (congenitally or from disease such as arthritis) are prone to onychocryptosis. Trauma, such as stubbing a toe or having one stepped on can cause a piece of the nail to jam into the skin. Frequent running also can cause ingrown toenails. Ingrown nails can be caused by trimming them incorrectly, causing them to regrow into the skin, by excessively tight stockings, or by shoes with narrow toe boxes. Bedridden patients commonly develop ingrown toenails if the bedsheets are kept tucked-in tightly.

Onychocryptosis should be treated as soon as it develops. If the skin is red, painful, or swollen on the sides of the nail, there may be an infection. The ingrown nail is in warm, often moist, and bacteria-rich environment and it provides a convenient entry for germs that can cause infection. At first, the skin around the nail may be mildly red or inflamed. Untreated, the nail can go under the skin, causing a severe infection. The infection must be cured using sterile instruments and antibiotics. People who attempt to fix an infected toenail themselves may worsen the problem.

Uninfected ingrown toenails can be treated following this regimen:

• soak the feet in warm soapy or salt water;
• dry them thoroughly with a clean towel;
• apply a mild antiseptic solution to the area; and
• bandage the toe.

If an ingrown toenail recurs, it may require a more permanent solution. A small portion of the nail and nail matrix (part of the nail that actually grows) is removed with a scalpel or burned with a concentrated chemical solution. This makes the nail narrower and prevents a portion of the nail from growing back, ensuring that it will not irritate the adjacent skin. The chemical treatment is a slightly less invasive procedure. It causes mild inflammation that lasts about a week. This procedure often cannot be used in severe infections because the chemical used (phenol) may be neutralized by the infection. In these cases, the physician must remove the infected nail with a scalpel.

Laser for ingrown toenails is a gimmick and has a high rate of complication in having the ingrown nail regrow in strange directions causing intense pain.

Unless the problem is congenital, the best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to protect the feet from trauma and wear shoes with adequate room for the toes. Nails should be trimmed straight across with clippers to a comfortable length.

The information provided in this web site is not intended to be a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. The material is provided for information purposes alone.