What to do if you have an ingrown toenail?
If your toenail becomes ingrown, the best solution is to seek help from a podiatrist, as the condition will not resolve on its own. While trimming the nail properly can provide temporary relief, it is important to address the underlying cause of the problem.
By visiting a podiatrist, he or she will be able to analyze the cause of your ingrown toenail and determine the most effective treatment. By doing so, you will be able to prevent future recurrences of the problem.
What is an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenail surgery or onychocryptosis occurs when the nail grows into the sides of the toe, causing redness, inflammation and pain when walking or doing some activity. It is very annoying, and although it can occur on any toe, it usually occurs on the big toe.
The way we walk causes our toes to adapt and become poorly positioned, which also affects the pressure exerted on the nail. The causes may be genetic due to the shape of the nail and the toe, due to infection or alteration of the nail (when its morphology is altered), and due to an alteration in the behaviour of the toes, directly related to the patient’s gait and biomechanics, as well as the type of footwear.
How to cure an ingrown toenail?
The solutions and treatments for this condition involve two options: Conservative treatment orsurgical treatment.
The podiatrist will assess each patient to choose the most appropriate option, based, among many other factors, on the presence or absence of granulomas (inflamed tissue in which bacteria can proliferate).
