Ingrowing Toenails
Nails from time to time can curve as they grow, this over curvature is known as involution. Involution is not classified as true ingrowing toenail however they can be tender and painful especially if hard skin or corns build down the sides of the nail.
Ingrowing toenails can be the result of a variety of things, these incluide,
- Poor nail cutting
- Inappropriate footwear
- Genetics
- Trauma
- Invasive medical treatment (e.g. Chemo/radiotherapy)
If a toenail penetrates the skin this is known as onychocryptosis – a true ingrowing toenail. This is usually extremely painful and will cause localised swelling and redness in the area next to the nail sometimes accompanied by a discharge or pus. With an ingrown toenail, even putting your shoes on can seem like a challenge.
After all, ingrown toenails aren’t just discomforting - they can also lead to a nasty infection if left untreated. That’s why it’s highly important to seek effective ingrown toenail treatment as soon as the problem develops.