An ingrown nail (onychocryptosis) is the ingrowth of the nail plate into the lateral edge of the nail fold (most often on the big toe, usually the outer edge). This is a very common disease. In this case, the nail fold becomes red and swollen, inflammation begins, causing severe pain. In the future, the development of a chronic inflammatory process is possible.
Without proper treatment, the disease is recurrent.
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An ingrown nail is a chronic disease in which, for various reasons, the growing nail plate penetrates into the soft tissue of the lateral ridges of the finger. There are various methods of conservative and surgical treatment of this disease, but in the initial stages, before complications arise, you can try to treat an ingrown toenail at home.
A chronic disease, prone to relapse even after surgical treatment, causes a lot of suffering and represents an important socio-medical problem, the relevance of which is confirmed by the presence of a large number of conservative and surgical treatment methods (more than 200), which are often ineffective. Even incomplete statistics indicate a trend towards constant growth. Ingrown nails rank second in the structure of inflammatory and purulent diseases after injuries complicated by infection.
The disease can affect any toes, but, as a rule, it affects the big toe of the right foot (in right-handed people), sometimes the big toes of both feet. More often, the outer edge of the nail plate grows into the soft tissue, less often - both edges. Localization on the thumbs of the hands is even less common. There are three degrees of severity of the disease after the nail grows into the finger:
When inflammation spreads to the soft tissues of the posterior ridge, paronychia (purulent inflammation of the transverse ridge, which is adjacent to the base of the nail), felon of the finger, phlegmon, lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymphatic vessels), erysipelas, osteomyelitis of the nail phalanx, addition of papillomavirus or fungal infection, hyperkeratosis may occur. , malignant formation. The severe course of the disease often leads to loss of ability to work.
Some researchers consider the cause of ingrown nails to be a hereditary predisposition, which is expressed in the genetic determination of the size and shape of the fingers, the width of the nail plate and its relationship with the soft tissues of the nail apparatus of the finger. There have been many cases of ingrown toenails among members of the same family and the disease passing from one generation to another. Some experts consider this pathology as a polyetiological (multi-cause) disease, which is the result of the influence of many factors. The main ones:
Due to insufficient knowledge of the etiology and pathogenesis, the disease, the relapse (exacerbation) of which, according to various authors, ranges from 2 to 50%, is difficult to treat. An ingrown toenail is treated comprehensively, depending on the degree and severity of the pathological process, as well as the reasons that contributed to its occurrence. Existing methods are divided into:
Ingrown toenail
Their main goal is to combat purulent-inflammatory processes and reduce the intensity of pain in the affected area of the finger, prevent its injury and create conditions for the unhindered growth of the nail plate. For this, lotions with antiseptic solutions, hot foot baths with potassium permanganate or anti-inflammatory infusions of plant origin (calendula), Levomikol, antimicrobial drugs, for example, Baneocin in the form of ointment or powder containing neomycin and batitracin are used. The drug penetrates deeply into the nail bed, has an effective antimicrobial effect in the absence of a negative effect on the processes of epithelization (healing) of the wound.
All this is combined with the displacement of inflamed soft tissues overhanging as a result of edema, the application of gauze rolls and/or placing under the sharp edge of the nail plate (if possible) gauze strips or thin rolls soaked in ointment or a solution containing antiseptic components. During the treatment process, it is necessary to periodically trim the nail correctly, observing antiseptic measures and using loose shoes.
The use of conservative treatment is usually ineffective. After it, frequent relapses occur again. Therefore, it is justified only in the initial stages of the disease, as well as in cases where the patient refuses more radical methods or is unable to use them for some reason.
This method has received the most recognition. There are many variations of it. The basic principle is a marginal wedge-shaped resection of a section of the nail or the entire nail plate with simultaneous electrocoagulation of the matrix (growth zone). Methods used:
In the first case, the operation is characterized by high trauma, a long healing period (for many weeks), persistent pain, increased tissue sensitivity even with slight pressure, which makes it difficult to use ordinary shoes. As a result of such seemingly radical treatment, relapses were noted in 47% of cases or more.
The effectiveness of the surgical method is significantly increased when laser removal of an ingrown nail is performed, in which its evaporation and tissue dissection is less traumatic. Due to the photocoagulating effect, there is no bleeding, which facilitates the overview of the surgical field and, therefore, reduces the duration of the operation.
The laser allows you to accurately and carefully remove areas damaged by granulation, minimally damaging neighboring areas. In addition, the CO2 laser destroys fungal spores, has a pronounced bactericidal effect and minimal damaging effect. These properties contribute to faster (2 times) healing, reducing the frequency and risk of complications compared to classical surgery. Relapses occur much less frequently.
Removal of ingrown toenails using the radio wave method using the Surgitron device is also used. Some experts consider its advantages (compared to laser) to be higher accuracy and controllability of the effect, as well as the absence of thermal damage to neighboring tissues.
The most effective is the combined use of conservative, orthopedic and modern surgical treatment methods.
First of all, one of the ways to both prevent and treat the disease is to properly perform a pedicure, especially paying attention to the correct cutting of the nail. It is necessary to cut at the level of the top of the soft tissues of the finger at a right angle to the side edges, slightly rounding or grinding off the edges with a nail file so that there are no sharp corners left. Do not cut the nail plate too short.
If the soft tissues of the side cushion hang over the sharp edge of the nail, but they are not inflamed, it is necessary to carefully, without injuring them, move them away and cut off only the sharp corner of the nail plate. To make caring for an ingrown toenail easier, you can use one of the pharmaceutical products that soften the nail plate:
These products not only make it easier to process the nail plate, but, by softening it, help the edges emerge from under the tissues of the periungual fold during growth. Ingrown toenail
Everyone knows that ordinary rock salt is considered an excellent remedy against inflammatory processes. Hot salt baths have a softening effect on the skin and immediately relieve unpleasant pain. For advanced cases of ingrown nails, salt baths are also suitable - they will help the pustules open.
Baths with various anti-inflammatory herbs, among which chamomile ranks first, will help relieve inflammation in ingrown toenails. To prepare the solution, take six tablespoons of chamomile and pour two liters of boiling water. The chamomile should infuse for about sixty minutes, and then the legs should be steamed in a not too hot solution for about twenty minutes. Chamomile baths help release the ingrown part of the nail from steamed skin. The procedure should be repeated until the nail shape becomes normal and it grows correctly.
Using this method to get rid of an ingrown toenail, you first need to steam your feet in potassium permanganate or chamomile. Next, file the nail in the center no more than half a centimeter.
We moisten the pre-prepared tampon with Vaseline or butter and carefully place it under the nail. There is no need to trim your nails first.
The procedure should be repeated until the pain stops (perform every other day). Once a positive result is achieved, the nail should be trimmed evenly and carefully, without rounding the corners.
Steam the legs in a weak solution of manganese. We wrap the painful finger with mashed leaves, and cover it with another plantain leaf on top and bandage the finger. We put on socks on top. Plantain will help relieve pain and quickly relieve inflammation.
This method is very simple and affordable. The nail sawed in the middle part tries to grow together, and the nail edges are gradually freed from the skin, ceasing to grow into it.
Before the sawing procedure, thoroughly steam your feet. From the base to the edge of the nail in the middle, make a cut to approximately 2/3 of the thickness of the nail plate. Depth control is carried out visually. For the filing procedure, you can use a file or a manicure file, depending on the strength and thickness of the nail. Cutting should be done once every three weeks. The nail will gradually grow back and you will notice the area that has not been cut down.
For hereditary cases of ingrown toenails, filing is one effective method of effective treatment. In such cases, procedures must be carried out every month.