SCHOLL Ingrowing Toenails

Product Information

Firstly, learn to cut your nails properly. Nail cutters aren’t a good idea because the curved cutting edge can cut the flesh, and nail scissors can slip. It’s best to use nail nippers (available from chemists) because they have a smaller cutting blade but a longer handle. Cut your nails straight across and don’t cut too low at the edge or down the side. The corner of the nail should be visible above the skin. Also, cut them after a bath or shower when the nail is much softer. Besides heredity, there are three main reasons why a toenail may grow incorrectly: improper trimming, constrictive footwear, and repeated activity. If you have diabetes, are taking steroids or are on anti-coagulants, don’t attempt to cut your nails or remove an ingrowing spikes of nail yourself. When should I see a podiatrist? Wash and dry your feet regularly. Remove calluses from clean feet with a pumice stone or foot file. Remove dirt under the nails with a nail cleaner.

For toes too painful to touch, a local anaesthetic will be injected before removing the offending portion of nail For any bleeding or discharge from an infection, or even excessive healing flesh (hypergranulation tissue) around the nail, antibiotics will be prescribed to manage the infection as well as having the offending spike removed

Key considerations

Constrictive footwear: Footwear that is too tight around the toes applies pressure to the toenails. Again, as dead cells are pushed forward, they conform to the pressure and grow in the direction of least resistance, which is often up or into the nail folds. Toenail brace: This small metal band clamps over the toe like the toenail corrector and also gently pulls the edges of the nail out of the nail folds. The difference is this device is meant to be worn long-term. For involuted nails, part of the nail that is curling into the flesh is removed and then the edges of the nail are filed to a smooth surface You should see a podiatrist urgently if you have symptoms of infection, and also have diabetes, poor circulation or a reduced immune system. You should also visit a podiatrist if you experience any persistent pain in your toe from the ingrowing nail or have a condition that affects the nerves and/or feeling in your foot.

Improper trimming: One of the biggest reasons people have problems with ingrown toenails is because they round the toenail when they trim it. If you cut the corners off the front of your toenail, as the dead cells are pushed forward, they will burrow into the nail folds and cause pain and possibly infection. An ingrowing toenail is where a piece of nail pierces the flesh of the toe. It can feel as if you have a splinter, and be extremely painful and inflamed or infected. In more severe cases, it can cause pus and bleeding. Ingrowing toenails most commonly affect the big toenail, but can affect the other toes too. A nail that is curling (involuted or convoluted) into the flesh, but isn’t actually piercing the skin, isn't an ingrowing toenail but can feel very painful and can also appear red and inflamed. What causes it? If you experience any foot care issues that do not resolve themselves naturally or through routine foot care within three weeks, you should seek the help of a healthcare professional. In some instances when poor hygiene is ruled out, repeated fungal infections in the toenail may be a symptom of an underlying health condition such as poor circulation or diabetes. Key considerations Toenail 101The downside is for some individuals it can take as long as 6 to 12 months to be effective. After nail growth has been corrected, improper trimming, constrictive footwear, or repeated actions can cause the problem to return. To permanently fix nail growth issues requires learning how to trim your nails, wearing properly fitting footwear, and refraining from activities that cause unnatural nail growth. Toenail corrector kit tools

However, not everyone identifies an ingrowing toenail correctly. Sometimes, they have a curly nail which has a lot of debris (dirt or fluff) underneath it or a corn or callus down the side of the nail, which can be just as painful. However, if it’s a corn, you tend to experience a throbbing pain as opposed to the sharp pain you get with an ingrowing toenail. If this is the case, your podiatrist will remove the debris, and, if necessary, thin the nail. Is it serious?

Tips

Before you are seen by a podiatrist, you can relieve the discomfort by bathing your foot in a salty footbath which helps to prevent infection and reduces inflammation. Then apply a clean sterile dressing, especially if you have a discharge, and rest your foot as much as possible. One of the biggest reasons at-home nail treatment is unsuccessful is because it takes months of daily diligence to correct a growth problem and many people simply neglect caring for their toes over time. FAQ Q. What is an ingrown toenail? Nail cleaner: This is a tiny tool with a thin, spoon-like tip. Its purpose is to scoop out any dirt that has accumulated beneath the front edge of the toenail.

Less common is a fungal infection or in some cases particular types of medication, for example isotretinoin. Who gets it? The biggest defense against toenail issues is proper foot care. Good hygiene can prevent many problems from ever happening. Here are some tips that can help you take better care of your feet and toenails. Adhesive tape: Some toenail correction sets include adhesive tape that is applied over the toenail brace to help hold it in place for extended periods of time. While toenail growth can be corrected in a number of ways, devices that draw the most attention clamp around the edges of the toe and lift the edges out of the nail folds, gradually correcting the nail’s growth. The nail brace was created in 1872 and requires no surgery or anesthesia. Repeated activity: Any activity where you are constantly impacting the edge of the toenail may eventually cause that toenail to grow unnaturally.For the most basic painful and irritable ingrowing toenail, the offending spike of nail will be removed and the toe covered with an antiseptic dressing