Ingrown toenail. Causes of appearance, symptoms, treatment without surgery with folk remedies, ointments, surgery

An ingrown nail or onychocryptosis in scientific terms is a disease caused by a pathological change in the nail. If untreated, the disease causes complications in the form of suppuration, edema, and amputation. The disease is accompanied by an unpleasant appearance of the big toe and pain.

Causes of an ingrown toenail

The primary cause of the disease is a hereditary factor. The disease occurs after 30 years, in rare cases, children and the elderly are exposed.

Other reasons for the appearance:

• incorrectly selected shoes. Constant squeezing causes the nail to grow into the skin. Experts do not recommend wearing tight shoes or narrow-nosed models, high heels. The disease is formed in closed shoes when used in the summer. Moisture provokes softening of the nail plate, swelling of the epidermis and abnormal growth of the nail;
• fungus;

  

• various injuries;
• incorrect pedicure;
• individual characteristics of the organism.

An ingrown toenail can be caused by excess weight and strenuous exercise. At the initial stage, the disease can be cured at home in conservative ways.

Symptoms

Human fingers are very sensitive. There are many nerve endings at the tips. The disease is defined by severe pain when pressing on the nail.

The main symptoms are:

• painful sensations;
• swelling;
• the formation of redness, spots, color change;
• sealing the nail plate;
• suppuration.

Stages

Experts define 3 stages of disease progression:

1. When moving, a person feels a slight pain, which subsides when the shoes are removed. There is a slight swelling, redness;
2. The condition of the nail changes - the acute angle on the nail plate increases, swelling and redness increase, the throbbing pain is accompanied by decay;
3. The disease becomes chronic, the started process is intensified by swelling, pain, a change in the natural color and hardening of the nail.

In the third stage, spotting is observed. The initial forms are amenable to conservative treatment. If the condition is neglected, surgical intervention is required.

Diagnostics

An ingrown nail on the big toe can be diagnosed by a surgeon, namely a podiatrist. The doctor performs orthonixia - a non-surgical way of correcting the nail with a flexible plate - it hooks and pulls to the top of the nail edge. Ultimately, the shape of the nail is corrected.

At the initial stage, surgical intervention is not necessary, conservative treatment is sufficient. Also, you will not need to take tests. They are prescribed in case of surgical necessity. Blood and urine tests will assess the level of inflammation.Sometimes it is necessary to donate blood for sugar.

In the presence of pus, a bacteriological study may be necessary to assess the resistance of pathogens to antibacterial drugs. In some cases, X-rays are taken - the procedure allows you to identify the disease and prevent other diseases in case of relapse.

What happens if you do not treat?

In the absence of proper treatment, the disease progresses. Complications lead to the spread of infection, rotting of the limb, as a result - to the amputation of the nail, in serious cases - the finger. Prolonged inflammation provokes the appearance of other diseases. The infection spreads to other parts of the body, provoking the emergence of new diseases. A severe case is the formation of gangrene.

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How to remove an ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail is removed in various ways - it all depends on the stage of the disease, contraindications, doctor's recommendations. Methods for eliminating the disease can be conservative and surgical.

Radio wave method

The main advantage of the radio wave method is its painlessness. In addition, after the procedure, the risk of developing the disease again is unlikely. Depending on the neglect of the disease, the operation time is determined - 3-5 minutes. Another advantage of the radio wave method is that the patient is not transferred to a hospital, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.

The painlessness is characterized by the use of local anesthesia. An injection is made into the finger, after which the neoplasm is removed and the radio wave of the nail matrix and the growth zone is processed. At the end of the procedure, an antiseptic dressing is applied and the patient is allowed to go home.

Upon returning home, the dressing is not allowed to get wet. Change it in the first 5 days. The wound heals in a week. The patient may feel pain, but this is quite normal.

Removal in whole or in part with a scalpel

The surgical method is used in the absence of a positive result of therapeutic treatment. Complete removal, or resection, is necessary when soft tissue suppuration occurs. If the nail is not festering, but only thickened, partial removal is used.

The patient is given local anesthesia, the doctor cuts out the affected area with a scalpel, and treats the wound with an antibiotic. After the operation, a gentle regimen and dressings are recommended. Full recovery usually occurs within a month.

The advantage in surgical intervention is the prevention of bone suppuration. This method has many disadvantages. The most important is a long recovery process, healing occurs only after a new nail has fully grown. This method is used very rarely, modern procedures are less painful.

Laser treatment

The most gentle method of removing an ingrown toenail is laser. The procedure has many advantages: there is no need to take a sick leave, the operation is done on an outpatient basis and does not require bed rest after. The procedure is carried out in about 20 minutes. After the operation, the person does not experience pain. Laser removal reduces the risk of abnormal nail growth.

Schmiden operation

One of the popular methods is the Schmiden operation. Its main advantage is that after the procedure, the risk of disease recurrence is reduced to a minimum. The operation is performed under anesthesia, the nail is cut with scissors, an incision is made on the soft tissues, and granulation is removed. The infected area is removed, sutures or a bandage are applied.

Complete healing occurs after 7 days, during which you need to limit physical activity. It is also necessary to change the bandage. If a relapse occurs, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

Corrective devices

An ingrown toenail can be healed without surgery. Medical practice offers new methods for removing an ingrown nail - staples and plates. The devices are attached to the leg without causing any discomfort. A quick rehabilitation period takes place.

Actual plates:

• Oniclip - fixture with epoxy coating. The main advantage is that the pressure of the plate can be adjusted by the patient himself. It is used for all stages of the disease, even in the absence of a nail;
• golden goldspang - small steel plate is practically invisible when worn. Fastened on the nail with glue, used at all stages of the disease;
• Podofix – after installing the device, the patient immediately feels relief, the painful sensations subside, there is no feeling of constriction.

In addition to the plates, modern medicine offers staples as an alternative method of treatment. They differ in the way of installation and design. The bracket is a device in the form of a thin nickel or chrome-plated wire. The procedure is painless, fast, and practically does not cause complications.

The brace is made for the patient individually, depending on the shape of the nail. The disadvantage of this method is the need to make a correction - tighten or loosen the brace.

The most common staples are:

• Frazers - thin wire with hooked ends. Starts under the edges of the nail and fixes it;
• Combined - used in case of unilateral development of the disease. One end fixes the nail with a hook, the other is glued to the nail plate;
• 3TO - a bracket, consisting of 3 parts - the lateral ones are fastened to the edges of the nail, the loop formed between them regulates their tension.

Plates and staples look quite aesthetically pleasing, do not require long-term recovery, anesthesia, sick leave... After installing the device, the patient can go about daily activities, sports, swimming and even paint their nails. The disadvantages include the high price and the inability to use the method at advanced stages.

Capolin use

A special material called capolin is prescribed to reduce pain and speed up wound healing. A soft tissue device lifts the edges of the nail and fixes its position. Fabrics are softened with saline before use. The tampon is pushed deep into the affected area and fixed.

The capolin is changed daily until the corner of the nail can be cut. Treatment refers to long-term, but more gentle. This method is most effective in the early stages, as well as for prevention.

Pharmacy ointments and gels

Various gels and ointments are used in the therapeutic method.

The most effective drugs:

• Nogtinorm - palm oil, extracts of licorice and St. John's wort, which have a healing effect, are added to the composition of this substance. When the ointment is applied, the nail plate softens, the inflammation is removed, and the growth of the nail is normalized. Use the product daily after steaming the legs. The cost of the ointment is 180-250 rubles;
• Demixides in the form of a gel has an anti-inflammatory effect, is applied to the affected area. The procedure does not take much time, does not require bandages, it is performed once every 2 days. The gel should not be used in case of hypersensitivity, liver, kidney, heart disease, eye diseases. Contraindicated in pregnant women and children. Cost - 50-230 rubles;
• Vishnevsky ointment - stops the development of infection, kills the fungus, relieves swelling and pain. The product has a strong aroma due to the birch tar that is part of the composition. The ingredient is antimicrobial and antiseptic. Xeroform dries out the inflamed area. Ointment is applied to gauze and applied to the place, fixed on top with plastic wrap and a bandage. The cost of the product ranges from 50-70 rubles. per tube;
• Ichthyol ointment - reduces inflammation, pain, destroys germs.It is applied to the affected area, covered with gauze (napkin), fixed with a bandage. Best used at night. The procedure is repeated until complete recovery. The price of the ointment is 30-120 rubles;
• Levomekol - has a calming and antibacterial effect. It is applied in the same way as Vishnevsky's ointment. It is allowed to use the product during pregnancy and people with allergic diseases. The price of the drug ranges from 80 to 140 rubles.

Pharmacy liquids for the treatment of ingrown toenails

In addition to gels, various liquids are used:

• Dimexide - anti-inflammatory agent. On its basis, compresses are performed and applied to the affected area. The solution can be used to wash the wound, the cost of the drug is 50-100 rubles;
• Scholl fluid - softens the nail plate, removing germs and fungus. Apply twice a day. The effect of the procedure is noticeable after 7 days. The price of the tool ranges from 700-1000 rubles;
• Gehwol liquid - effective at an early stage, prevents nail ingrowth, softens the plate, reduces pain. Before use, the finger is cleaned, dried, 2 drops are applied to the area. The price of the drug is 800-2500 rubles.

How to treat an ingrown toenail at home

Treatment and prevention of illness can be done by yourself at home.

Recommended:

• use the baths at intervals of 20 minutes. in 3 days. The procedure reduces the signs of the disease;
• lift ingrown edges with cotton wool;
• apply antibiotic ointments;
• choose the optimal shoe size, avoid sharp-toed shapes and excessive heels;
• drink pain relievers.

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Baths

Ingrown toenails on big or other toes are treated with special baths:

• chamomile based - 60 g of a plant per 1 liter of water. The herb is infused for half an hour, the procedure lasts 30 minutes. A piece of gauze is applied to relieve pain;
• saline solution - 60 g of salt per 1 liter of water. Procedure time - up to 20 minutes. After using the bath, puffiness, pain, inflammation are removed;
• with baking soda - 30 g of product per 3 liters of water. Procedure time - half an hour. Baking soda dries out the skin, reducing pain and swelling.

Folk remedies

Traditional folk remedies are considered more effective:

• aloe - the sheet is cut in half, applied to the desired place at night;
• butter - rubbed in after using the bath in the evening. You can put a piece of butter on cheesecloth, wrap your finger. In the morning, a saline bath is recommended;
• onion and honey - chopped onion is combined with honey, applied to the affected area at night;
• plantain - after the bath, wrap your finger with a plant, bandage;
• badger fat - applied to gauze, and then to the affected area. Best used at night;
• potassium permanganate - combine a few drops with water, steam feet;
• Castor oil - 100 ml of the preparation dissolves in 3 liters of water. The legs are dipped into the solution for 15 minutes;
• lemon zest - the grated zest is combined with vegetable oil, applied to the affected area.

What to do if an ingrown toenail is festering?

The formation of pus occurs with advanced development. It is possible to suspend it with the help of ointments, baths, but they will not cure the disease. The appearance of pus is the third stage, which requires treatment with a scalpel, laser, radio waves.

What to do with an ingrown toenail during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, many conservative and surgical methods are prohibited for women. If the patient's condition is good, there are no contraindications, there is no threat to the fetus, then some procedures are allowed - baths, gels, ointments, various devices.

Plates and staples are considered optimal; anesthesia is not used to install them. With an advanced state of the disease, a laser method is used.

What not to do with an ingrown toenail

In case of illness, it is forbidden to perform the following actions:

• wear tight shoes, pointed shoes, high heels;
• do sport;
• do not pay attention to the progression of the disease.

Prevention

If the cause is hereditary, then it is almost impossible to influence it.

In other cases, you must adhere to the rules:

• perform a pedicure correctly - do not round off the shape, do not cut the ends too much, approach a straight line
• wash your feet thoroughly;
• choose the right shoes;

Ingrown toenails not only cause pain, but also discomfort. This disease can be cured in various ways. Many of them allow you to avoid relapse in the future.

Author: Tatiana Makoveeva

Article design: Vladimir the Great

Video on the topic: Ingrown toenail

Elena Malysheva will tell you how to get rid of an ingrown toenail on her own at home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsBcnNWuJnk