IN
GROWING TOE NAILS
(ONYCHOCRYPTOSIS)
INTRODUCTION TO
IN GROWING TOE NAILS
In
growing toe nails are one of the most common foot
complaints treated by a chiropodist. This condition
can be very painful and patients may often be very
reluctant to have the condition treated. However,
we can assure you that this condition will not resolve
itself and requires specialist care. An In growing
toe nail is caused by a splinter of nail or the whole
nail causing pressure into the skin. Some In growing
toe nails are acute which means that they have occurred
due to a injury to the toe. Others are chronic, which
means the patient has had the problem for a long period
of time. The large toe is usually affected, however,
it can also affect the lesser toes.
APPEARANCE OF
IN GROWING TOE NAILS
-
In a acute condition the toe will be very red,
swollen, painful to touch and there may be a discharge
of pus or a watery discharge with a hint of blood.
-
In a chronic condition the toe will appear slightly
inflamed at the corner of the nail.
The
above picture is a infected In growing 1st nail.
SYMPTOMS OF IN
GROWING TOE NAILS
-
The condition may be aggravated by wearing tight
shoes or shoes with a inadequate depth.
-
In a acute condition the toe will be very painful
to touch and there may be presence of a infection.
-
In a chronic condition the toe will only be painful
when the patient is walking with shoes on.
CAUSES OF IN GROWING
TOE NAILS
-
Trauma to the nail
-
Improper cutting of toe nails.
-
Tight shoes or hosiery
-
Abnormal shape of nail plate
-
Abnormal thickness of nail
WHAT YOU CAN DO
FOR IN GROWING TOE NAILS
-
Cut toe nails straight across and leave them slightly
longer to prevent a In growing toe nail.
-
Avoid tight shoes
-
If discomfort occurs try soaking the feet in luke
warm salt water for 10 minutes each day.
-
SEEK IMMEDIATE ADVICE FROM A CHIROPODIST
Dr
Foot Recommends
Gehwol
Nail Softener at £10, Free Postage and Packaging
(only to be used on in-grown toe
nails that are not infected)
A
Quick, Secure and Easy to Use Foot Store!
Freephone
0800 1953440
WHAT YOU SHOULD
NOT DO FOR IN GROWING TOE NAILS
-
Try cutting out the In growing section yourself.
This may result in a increase of pain and infection
of the toe.
WHAT THE CHIROPODIST
WILL DO FOR YOUR IN GROWING TOE NAILS
-
If the condition is chronic then the chiropodist
will trim a small section of the nail to relieve
the pressure from the In growing toe nail. He/she
may also use dressings, pads, nail braces and
silicone devices in order to prevent the condition
occurring again.
-
If the condition is at a acute stage (red, swollen
and possibly infected), then surgical removal
of a section of the nail plate or the entire nail
plate may be necessary. This is called a partial
nail avulsion (PNA). A PNA involves injecting
the toe with a local anesthetic followed by removal
of the affected section of nail (refer to diagram
below). The nail bed will then be treated with
a chemical in order to prevent the section of
nail which was removed from growing back. This
procedure is very common and is not painful. The
site usually heals within 4-6 weeks following
the surgery.
-
The chiropodist may recommend the use of a antibiotic
to combat an infected In growing toe nail.
