Ingrown Toenail - Know Its Causes & Symptoms

Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of nails dig into the surrounding skin. It can develop due to the improper cutting of nails, wearing tight fitted shoes, toe injury, or playing football. It can cause pain and swelling requiring immediate ingrown toenail treatment.

An ingrown toenail develops when the corner of the nail tends to grow inside the skin. It is also called as onychocryptosis or unguis incarnatus. Usually, the big toe is more prone to this medical issue. It is a painful condition and individuals should trim their toenails straight across so that it does not curve and dig into the skin. Doctors advise patients to go for ingrown toenail treatment in Baltimore without any delay as it can lead to complications, especially if the patient has diabetes. The area surrounding the ingrown nail can get infected and can even develop into an abscess requiring ingrown toenail surgery in Baltimore. However, there is nothing to panic, as numerous clinics are dealing with podiatric surgery. Continue reading to understand the causes and symptoms of ingrown toenails.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Both men and women have equal chances of developing ingrown toenails. Detailed below are the common causes of this condition.

• Many people have a habit of cutting toenails too short. This improper trimming of nails can lead to ingrowing. Experts suggest cutting nails straight across without making any angle to prevent them from curving inside the skin.
• Some people are born with irregular or curved toenails. If you have a family history of this condition, then your chances of developing ingrown nails increase significantly. While there is nothing you can do about this condition, it is better to opt for ingrown toenail surgery in Baltimore before it leads to any complication.
• Wearing tight-fitting shoes or high heels can also create pressure on toenails by keeping them compressed for a long duration. It leads to curvature of toenails. Tight socks or stocking can even develop the same condition.
• Suffering an injury while playing football or dropping a heavy object on feet can also cause curvature of toenails.
• Certain athletic activities like playing soccer, kickboxing, or performing ballet may involve repetitive kicking or subjecting nails to high pressure. It can lead to ingrown nails if continued uninterrupted for a prolonged duration.

Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

Symptoms of ingrown toenails worsen with time. However, timely ingrown toenail treatment in Baltimore often prevents the development of complications. Have a look at the common signs and symptoms associated with this medical condition.

• Inflammation, tenderness, or hardening of skin where the nail has curved inside
• Patient experience pain when they apply pressure on the affected area.
• In some cases, fluid may build up surrounding the ingrown toe.
• Skin can get infected due to germs build-up on an ingrown toenail. Here the area becomes red, develops pus, and blood can ooze out from the site.

This was all about the causes and symptoms of ingrown toenails. If medication does not cure this condition, it is beneficial to go for podiatric surgery in Baltimore to get it treated.

Podiatry Associates in Baltimore is the best place for the treatment of ingrown toenails. The podiatric physician first examines the condition and suggests a suitable treatment for quick healing.