Related articles: Ingrown nail
Definition
An ingrown toenail is a painful inflammatory process located in the periungual region.
This condition is caused by the curving and penetration of the lateral margin of the nail, or of a fragment or dented portion thereof, in the adjacent skin fold, which is often infected.
Predisposing factors include gait disorders, biomechanical pathologies of the big toe or other toes (eg hallux valgus), habit of wearing an incorrect type of footwear (eg pointy shoes or too narrow), excessive cutting of the foil nail and trauma that can lead to nail penetration.
Other Ingrown Photo Nails
Sometimes, especially in young subjects, an ingrown toenail is the consequence of an underlying osteochondroma. In the elderly, however, a risk factor is represented by peripheral edema.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Foot pain
- Pain, heat, redness and swelling of the finger
- Edema
- Pus formation
- blisters
Further indications
An ingrown toenail causes pain that occurs at the corner of the nail fold or, less commonly, along the entire lateral margin. Initially, only a slight discomfort may be present, especially when wearing certain shoes, but with the growth of the nail along the furrow, the skin becomes red, becomes shiny and tense.
Who presents the disorder feels an acute tenderness at the slightest pressure, but, if neglected, the ingrown nail can get to cause very strong pains.
This condition can also predispose to the development of an infection along the nail edge (paronychia), evident due to a purulent exudate originating from the nail plate of the affected part. In chronic cases, granulation tissue develops, especially in young subjects.
The diagnosis is formulated based on the clinical evaluation, sometimes supported by the biopsy.
Treatment usually involves excision of the ingrown nail under local anesthesia. If the problem tends to recur, permanent destruction of the nearby lateral nail plate is indicated by application of phenol or trichloroacetic acid or by surgical excision.
