Ingrown toenails are painful, they limit exercise, work and the use of enclosed shoes.
An ingrown toenail (Onychocryptosis) is a result of the following:
- Trauma
- Involuted (curved) nails
- Ill-fitting footwear
- Poor nail care
- Nail picking
- Poor hygiene
The problem is often recurrent and patients generally report multiple episodes of infection. An ingrown toenail is caused by a piece of nail protruding into the side of the nail sulcus skin or nail bed. This allows a portal of entry for bacteria which cause infection.
Treatment involves a minor procedure to remove the offending nail particle. This will provide instant relief, however sometimes this becomes a chronic problem and a local anesthetic procedure called a Partial Nail Avulsion is required. This provides a permanent solution in 85% of cases.