Ingrown toenails are one of the most common unsightly foot conditions. Let’s see how to fix this problem.
Showing beautiful and well-groomed feet, especially in summer, is everyone’s desire. But what happens when the problem of so-called ingrown nails arises?
This is a disorder which in medical jargon is called “onychocryptosis” and which occurs above all among young people between the ages of 20 and 30, generally males. It basically occurs when a sharp corner of the toenail penetrates the skin causing pain and redness. But it’s not just a matter of aesthetics and pain. Ingrown toenails, if not resolved, can generate more or less serious infections, up to the need for surgery.
There is no single reason why ingrown toenails can appear. They can generally arise as a result of a cut done improperly, when the nails are cut crooked or too short, or for other valid causes. Not only, therefore, pathologies related to the feet – such as deformities, poor hygiene, shoes that are too tight and excessive sweating – but also arthritis, diabetes, obesity and incorrect posture.
If you don’t fix ingrown toenails right away, they can lead to serious infections. Patients suffering from diabetes should especially pay attention to this.
How to treat ingrown toenails – tantasalute.it
When you are faced with one or more ingrown nails, you shouldn’t underestimate the problem and wait for it to resolve itself but contact a podiatrist who will advise what to do to avoid worsening the condition. It is important to see this specialist if the problem persists for a long time, if you suffer from diabetes or foot conditions (such as diabetic neuropathy), or if your immune system is compromised.
Instead, if the problem is not serious, you can try to treat it yourself, for example by taking foot baths in very hot water and applying an antibacterial product several times a day. If they create infection, pain or other complications, avulsion surgery is necessary, i.e. extraction of the nail plate. This is an operation done under local anesthesia, supported later with drugs such as lidocaine.
Or a new treatment that does not involve surgery may be recommended. It is a brace to be inserted into the ingrown nail and which promotes its proper growth. Finally, in the case of bacterial infection, the doctor may recommend antibiotics.
So there are several treatments against ingrown toenails but prevention remains the best way to avoid the problem. Here are some precautions to take:
cut your nails properly, trying to avoid them being too short or crooked wear shoes that are not too tight wash your feet every day and dry them carefully change your socks often (which should preferably be made of natural and not synthetic fabrics) sleep without socks