This diagnosis is accompanied by very unpleasant and often quite painful sensations. If you understand the nature of the disease, you can avoid many problems.
Ingrown toenails occur for so many reasons. Improper cutting of the nail plate is the most common cause. The nail should be cut straight, without any curves. It is not recommended to cut the skin around the nail, so as not to increase its growth and provoke ingrown nails. Calcium deficiency in the body, which is responsible for the strength and condition of nails, is another cause of this problem. Poor quality and narrow shoes have a great influence on an ingrown toenail.
At home
If your toenails grow ingrown, you can try to relieve the pain at home. First, the nail is steamed so that it becomes pliable and soft. After this, the nail plate should be dried at the site of ingrowth with iodine or alcohol tincture of calendula. Treatment at the site of suppuration with an antiseptic will also be required. After all anti-inflammatory measures have been carried out, the skin around the nail plate will need to be well moistened with glycerin or petroleum jelly. This procedure is carried out 3-4 times a day until pain during walking and mechanical impact on the nail completely disappear. If your toenails become ingrown, try using antibacterial ointment, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. It relieves inflammation well, and the skin around the nail hole becomes more pliable and soft.
If your toenails grow ingrown and home treatment does not help, you need to visit a doctor. Depending on the condition of the nail, during surgical treatment the nail plate may be cut in half or completely removed. After removal, the affected area will require special care and hygiene. However, such treatment does not guarantee that the nail will not grow in the future.
In order to avoid surgery and achieve good results when toenails grow in, it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner. Mix vinegar essence with glycerin in equal proportions and drop a few drops of this composition onto the nail hole every day. After some time, you will feel the result, and the pain will go away.
Treatment in a beauty salon
Pedicurists suggest treating this problem by applying a special plate to the nail, which evens it out. It is best to resort to this procedure in the summer months, because you will have to wear the brace for several days. This procedure is reliable and effective, as it helps to stretch the nail and eliminates deformation.
Nail correction using a laser is the newest and least traumatic method of treating this problem. With laser correction, only the ingrown part of the nail is removed along with the skin. Thus, you get rid of inflammation and the source of infection.
The nail plates on the feet are denser in structure than on the hands. Moreover, on the lower extremities, the nail grows faster and does not always have a correct and even shape. The edges often bend down, which leads to ingrown nails. All this causes discomfort and pain when walking, and it doesn’t look very nice.
To defeat ingrown toenails on the lower extremities, you need to understand why, in fact, such a problem arises.
Now you know the reasons for ingrown nails, you can move on to a more pressing topic - how to soften your toenails.
The first method, which is probably known to everyone and is an excellent way to soften the nail, is baths.
You can carry out the procedure at home, to do this you need to do the following:
The greatest difficulty is caused by the nails on the big toes; they are usually the densest. Sometimes just baths are not enough to soften them, and then compresses come to the rescue. To carry out the procedure, take an aloe leaf, cut off all the thorns from it and cut it in half.
Place the plant with its wet side on the sore nail and secure with a bandage or plaster. Leave the lotion on overnight, and in the morning remove it and treat the nail. By the way, aloe will not only make the nail plate softer, but will also help with fungus, as it has antiseptic properties.
If it happens that the nail has not only thickened and become stiff, but has already grown into the side ridges, then a bath will not help. But how can you soften an ingrown toenail? You can try making an aloe compress at night; in the morning the nail should become much softer and can be trimmed and filed.
A very good ointment that softens nails is Vishnevsky's ointment. Use it to apply a lotion at night, then carefully lift the nail and place a piece of cotton wool to avoid re-ingrowing.
You can also make baths to prevent ingrown toenails. To do this, mix aloe juice, iodine, fat cream and 9% vinegar in water in equal proportions. This procedure should be carried out for no longer than 15 minutes, and then rinse the limbs with clean water.
By doing 1-2 baths a week, you can prevent such a nuisance as ingrown nails and make the appearance of your nails more attractive.
In general, people who experience severe ingrown nail plates are advised to visit a doctor. He will advise on all issues and help with removing the ingrown part. You can also learn in detail from a specialist about softening nail products.
Now let's discuss how you can soften a nail with fungus. So, if your nail is infected, then all procedures must be carried out with extreme caution. To soften such a “sick”, you can use apple cider vinegar.
Apply a small amount of vinegar to a cotton pad and apply to the damaged nail plate, secure with a band-aid. It is advisable to wear socks for warmth. It is very important to ensure that the cotton wool soaked in vinegar does not come into contact with the skin. Otherwise, there is a danger of getting burned. You need to keep the compress for 2 hours.
This method will help not only soften the nail, but also cope with the infection. Now you know how to soften a nail if it is affected by fungus. True, this method is only suitable at the initial stage of infection.
There are many folk remedies for combating diseases of the nail plates. One of the effective recipes for softening marigolds is a bath with the addition of ammonia and soda.
Pour hot water into a bowl, add 1 tbsp. l. soda and corns cream, ? tsp ammonia, mix everything. Immerse your feet in the bath for 20–25 minutes, rinse with running water, wipe dry and treat. This softening option is simple and accessible to everyone.
But still, no matter how good the folk remedies are, if nails grow in often, then visiting a doctor is a must. Do not delay, so as not to suffer from pain later. Take care of yourself and your health.
None of us got ingrown toenails at birth. And the number of people who face this problem is alarming. More than a third of the entire population tries from time to time to get rid of this disease, but often suffers a complete fiasco, as it grows back. The good news is that knowing what causes the disease can eliminate the problem forever. Why do toenails grow in, how to get rid of it once and for all - the answers are in our article.
A disease in which the nail plate grows into the soft tissue of the finger is called onychocryptosis. It is characterized by frequent inflammatory processes at the site of ingrowth and excruciating pain that intensifies when walking.
The most common causes of ingrown toenails are:
The symptoms of an ingrown toenail are difficult to confuse with other diseases, since the nail fold at the site of the ingrowth hurts (especially when pressed) and swells. In some cases, an infection occurs in this place, then the soft tissues become red, and when pressure is applied to the nail plate, purulent contents are released.
There are stages in the development of the process that can affect the choice of therapy. Depending on the duration of the disease and the degree of ingrowth, 3 stages are distinguished.
Every modern person dreams of having beautiful and well-groomed nails on their hands and feet. However, in order for the nail plate to maintain its correct shape and not grow into the skin, the nails must be trimmed promptly and correctly. Unfortunately, not many people know that such a familiar and even mundane procedure as cutting nails has a number of rules and features that should never be ignored.
Many people, without thinking about the consequences, regularly cut off their nails at the root as soon as they begin to bother them. In fact, you should shorten the length of the nail plate only when it “peeks out” from behind the fingertip by one and a half millimeters. If the nail is cut at the root, there is a high probability of injury to the skin, which in itself is extremely unpleasant, and an infection can get into the wound, which will lead to the formation of purulent inflammation. It is not surprising that sometimes such a haircut ends for a person with an appointment with a surgeon and surgical intervention.
It is important to remember that manicures and pedicures require careful preparation and complete disinfection. All instruments necessary for the procedure should be prepared in advance by wiping them with alcohol or any other disinfectant liquid. Hands and feet should also be washed thoroughly with plenty of soap.
To cut nails, no matter on the feet or hands, it is best to use special manicure scissors with wide blades curved at the edges. To ensure that the scissors do not damage the nail plate, they must be well sharpened.
To avoid ingrown nail plates, cut them in a straight line, avoiding sharp corners along the edges. This is due to the fact that it is these corners that, unnoticed by the person himself, grow into the skin of the finger and cause serious problems. You should not try to cut off the entire nail in one motion, as this can lead to damage and peeling.
As practice shows, improperly trimmed toenails grow in seventy percent of cases out of a hundred, causing the appearance of pustules and ulcers. To disinfect and make cutting easier, before the procedure, it is recommended to soak your feet in a warm bath with saline or soda solution. After cutting, the sharp corners of the nail plate are filed using a regular manicure file.
In the event that you do happen to encounter such a problem as an ingrown nail, you need to consult a cosmetologist or doctor as soon as possible, otherwise this pathology can lead to purulent inflammation, the development of gangrene and subsequent amputation of the phalanx of the finger. In order to avoid such unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to identify the disease as early as possible.
The fact is that when the nail plate grows, the injured area becomes red and swollen, and the process is often accompanied by severe pain. If the disease has not progressed to an advanced form, you can try to cope with it yourself, to do this you need to try to carefully remove the tip of the nail from the soft tissues.
To do this, steam the leg in a warm bath for fifteen to twenty minutes. Then, using a file with a sharp end, remove all the dirt from under the nails. Then, the instruments are disinfected, after which the ingrown tip of the nail plate is carefully lifted with the sharp edge of a nail file, pulled to the surface and cut off using nail scissors.
It is advisable to lubricate the damaged area with peroxide or brilliant green to prevent germs from getting into the wound. If the edge of the nail plate is not removed from the soft tissues in time, deformation of the nail, suppuration and change in the shape of the finger gradually begin. That is why at the first sign of a problem you should immediately contact a specialist.
Regular and high-quality care for them, as well as keeping all manicure tools and accessories clean, will help you avoid the appearance of ingrown nails.
Rarely does a woman pay attention to such little things as cutting her toenails. It would seem: I cut my hair and cut it, what could go wrong? It turns out that it can: improper cutting of the nail plate leads to its injury and subsequent ingrowth into the skin. The ingrowth of keratinized tissue into the skin, if you do not pay attention to it, gives rise to many inconveniences that result in serious problems. We'll tell you how to properly cut your toenails to prevent them from growing in and give you some useful tips for caring for the skin on your toes.
Due to natural reasons, toenails are much harder than fingernails. That is why you should not cut them off using strong pressure on the handles of the tool: this is a sure way to injure the plate. To carry out the procedure correctly, use the following instructions:
Foot baths have the same varied composition as hand baths. For simple steaming, several options will do:
An ingrown toenail is an unpleasant problem that haunts women who do not follow the rules of pedicure. It consists of the ingrowth of the sharp edge of the nail plate into the periungual fold. At first, the inconvenience due to an ingrown nail is insignificant: it consists of a slight tingling of the finger, and possible stinging. After a short time, the nail enlarges and swells. An infection develops inside, leading to severe deformation of the finger.
Often a problem that is not resolved in time results in a visit to the surgeon. The nail is cut out by specialists, removing not only a fragment of keratinized tissue, but also part of the living dermis. To prevent this outcome, we will tell you several home ways to get rid of an ingrown toenail:
Of course, surgical intervention in the modern world is reduced to a minimum. In addition, a more gentle method of laser removal of ingrown toenails is used. However, this procedure is not cheap, so if you are not able to use this method, prevent ingrown nails and carry out monthly nail prevention against fungal diseases.
An ingrown toenail will not be a problem if you learn to correctly and effectively use the rules for performing a pedicure suggested by cosmetologists. Toenails are an important part of the body, responsible for protecting the fingers from injury and for their aesthetic appearance. Take care of them by following these tips on how to properly cut your toenails to prevent them from growing into your skin.
Many people encounter such an unpleasant problem as an ingrown toenail and know that it is not just an unpleasant misunderstanding, but an extremely painful sensation, which also leads to very serious consequences. And this is for adults. What should you do if your child has ingrown toenails ?
It should be remembered that an ingrown toenail does not appear suddenly; it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the child’s toenails. After all, malformation of marigolds can be inherited. If suddenly your baby begins to be capricious for no reason, tuck his leg, or stop trying to get up in his crib or playpen, then you should first examine the condition of the child’s toenails.
Small nails are supposed to lie flat in their bed and grow only forward, but they sometimes grow down and cut into the edge of the nail fold. Unfortunately, in this case it is impossible to do without surgery.
Today, medicine has already reached such a level that these operations are practically painless and the rehabilitation period has become quite short.
If the problem of an ingrown toenail in a child is detected at the very beginning, and the infectious process around the nail does not develop, then it can be dealt with without surgical intervention.
The fact is that many parents trim their child’s toenails incorrectly. It is believed that toenails should be cut straight. But this is fundamentally wrong: the sharp edge of the nail injures delicate skin.
Toenails should also be cut not too short and the edges should be slightly rounded. By the way, it is also recommended to file them a little.
At the very beginning of the disease, you can do without surgery using home remedies. At least three times a day, you can steam the baby’s feet in warm water with the addition of bath salts, sea salt and a few drops of iodine or potassium permanganate.
You should also give your child the opportunity to run barefoot on warm ground or sand, since comfortable shoes and even a soft sock can injure the sore spot.
If the cuticle of the nail turns red or becomes denser to the touch, then you can resort to antibiotics. Of course, in this case you need to contact a specialist.
If it has already reached the point of infection, and an abscess has formed near the nail, then you can use a compress with ichthyol ointment or Vishnevsky balm. But in any case, all procedures must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous in any case.
Sometimes parents turn to traditional medicine to treat an ingrown toenail in a child . It is softened with compresses of lamb fat, solid oil, and ash and a bandage is applied for several hours. Chamomile, string, St. John's wort and yarrow are added to the water prepared for the bath in which the feet will be steamed.
Of course, it is difficult to keep a small child calm and steam his leg for a sufficient amount of time. In addition, the bandage on his leg will interfere with him, and the child will definitely try to remove it.
Sometimes parents try to place gauze or a cotton pad under the edge of an ingrown nail, but this procedure is extremely painful.
In any case, you need to remember that it is necessary, when carrying out hygiene procedures, to constantly monitor the condition of the child’s nails, and in the case of ingrown nails, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Tight shoes and uncomfortable fashionable shoes can lead to very unpleasant consequences. The desire to be beautiful is common to many ladies, but the result is the same - an ingrown nail. It's unpleasant and painful. In addition, it is extremely difficult to get rid of it at home. Let's figure out what to do if you have an ingrown toenail.
So, this disease is called onychocryptosis, but the combination “ingrown toenail” is much easier to remember. The nail plate pierces the nail fold and grows into the skin. This causes redness, swelling of the tissue, discharge of pus, and severe pain. More often it happens that the nail on the big toe is ingrown; less often this happens to other toes. This happens on your hands too. If the disease is not cured at first, blood, pus will appear, and the finger may even turn blue. Patients with this disease experience particular discomfort when walking. The pain may be so severe that the person will limp or be unable to walk in shoes at all. An ingrown toenail occurs if you cut your nails incorrectly or wear uncomfortable shoes. You may accidentally cut the corner of your nail so that it will subsequently grow incorrectly, sticking into the skin.
Ingrown toenails are a common problem. Of course, we dream of a miracle cure that can easily and quickly cure any disease. However, if you have an ingrown toenail, then everything is much more complicated. The main thing is that you need to grow your nail so that it no longer rests on the nail fold, and this is very difficult. Traditional medicine in this case advises steaming the foot in baths of chamomile, eucalyptus and potassium permanganate. Moreover, if the condition is advanced, then each of the baths should be done for half an hour, changing to the next one. The treatment process can last for a month. After the skin is steamed, you need to remove all the pus with a cotton swab and rinse the nail with a solution of sea salt. You can apply a plantain or aloe leaf, wrapping it with a bandage. It is also recommended to do soda baths three times a day, apply Vishnevsky and ichthyol ointment. This will prevent the infection from spreading and will draw out the pus. This procedure is especially effective if done at night. There are several more recipes with cabbage leaves or beeswax, but in very advanced cases only surgery will help.
Any surgeon knows the answer to the question of how to remove an ingrown toenail. If you can get by with less sacrifice, then only part of the plate or roller is removed, and the appearance of the nail is restored after a few months. If, among other things, you are concerned about pus, then the wound must be thoroughly treated, washed, and the nail removed completely. The finger will remain in the bandage for about a month while a healthy nail grows. If you have an ingrown toenail, then you can turn to the latest medical methods. She offers a popular solution - laser treatment. This allows you to reduce the likelihood of re-ingrowth several times. In addition, if the nail is affected by fungus, doctors also recommend this procedure. However, such a nail will take longer to heal, and this process is more painful. Ingrown toenails can also be treated using radio wave surgery. Its advantage is that you will not feel pain either during the operation, since it is done under local anesthesia, or after it. They promise that the wound will heal within 4 days, and the bandage can be removed. So decide for yourself which methods to resort to. You can be patient once, or you can patiently take baths for months. The decision is yours, but don’t let even such a seemingly minor disease take its course. You need all your toes on your feet, right?