Un ingrown nail appears when one of the top corners of the nail penetrates the surrounding flesh. This causes a redness and one swelling (inflammation), pain and sometimes infection. This problem, designated by the term onychocryptose in medical terms, most often affects the nail of the big toe.

To prevent the wound from becoming infected and the condition from getting worse, it is important to treat an ingrown nail as quickly as possible.

Causes

The most common causes of this condition are size too short nail and wearing shoes too tight. However, in many cases, there is no obvious cause for the occurrence of an ingrown toenail.

Complications

If left untreated, a ingrown nail can lead to infection tissue around the nail (whitlow) or even a more serious infection of the foot or the bones of the foot.

People who have had diabetes for several years are at greater risk of complications. In the long term, diabetes impairs blood flow, which interferes with wound healing. In addition, diabetes decreases the ability to fight infections. It is important for people with diabetes to regularly examine their feet for possible injury or an ingrown toenail because the condition reduces sensitivity to pain. In the event of a wound, it is important to consult quickly a podiatrist or doctor to avoid infection and achieve rapid healing.