Problemas de Pie en Español

• Artritis Reumatoide en el Pie y Tobillo
• Biopsia de Tejida Blando
• Buniones (Juanete)
• Coalición Tarsal
• Complicaciones Diabéticas y Prevención de Amputaciones
• Curación de Los Huesos
• Dedo Cruzado
• Dedo en Martillo
• Deformidad de Haglund
• Diabeticas: Estatisticas Alarmantes
• Disfunción de Tendón Tibial Posterior
• Dolor de Talón
• Dolor de Talón Infantil
• Ejercicios de Elongación
• El Dolor Crónico de Tobillo Lateral
• Enfermedad Vascular Periferica (PAD)
• Equinismo
• Esguince de Tobillo
• Fibroma Plantar
• Fractura de Estrés
• Fracturas de Los Dedos Del Pie
• Fracturas de Tobillo
• Fracturas del Calcáneo (Fracturas del Hueso del Talón)
• Fracturas del Quinto Metatarsiano
• Gota
• Hallux Rigidus
• Heridas Por Punción
• Inestabilidad Crónica de Tobillo
• Inicio de Drenaje Siguiendo Los Pasos de Absceso Infectado
• Inflamación Aguda
• Instrucciones par el Cuidado de Heridas
• Instrucciones Para Muletas
• Juanetes de Sastre
• Lesión del Domo Talar
• Lesiones de Lisfranc
• Lesiones del Tendón Peroneo
• Lesiones en un Hueso Sesamoideo del Pie
• Melanoma Maligno del Pie
• Necesito un Examen Para PAD?
• Neuroma de Morton
• Neuropatía Diabética Periférica
• Osteoartritis del Pie y el Tobillo
• Pie Cavo (Pie de Arco Alto)
• Pie de Atleta
• Pie de Charcot
• Pie Diabético
• Pie Plano Flexible
• Pie Plano Pediátrico
• Que Usted Espera con el Tratamiento de Acido par Alas Verrugas
• Que Usted Espera Por Las Inyecciones de Esteriodes
• Quiste de Ganglio
• Ruptura del Tendón de Aquiles
• Síndrome del Hueso Trigono
• Síndrome del Navicular Accesorio
• Síndrome del Túnel Tarsiano
• Tendinitis de Aquiles
• Terapia con Onda de Choque Extracorporea (ESWT)
• Trastornos Comunes del Tendón de Aquiles
• Trombosis Venosa Profunda
• Uña Encarnada del Dedo del Pie
• Uña Infectada Por Hongos
• Verruga Plantar (Verruca Plantaris)

Ingrown Toenails

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

When a toenail is ingrown, the nail is curved downward and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe. If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. However, even if your toe isn't painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.

What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown toenails can develop for various reasons. In many people, the tendency to have this common disorder is inherited. In other cases, an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running. The most common cause of ingrown toenails is improper trimming. Cutting your nails too short encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail. Another cause of ingrown toenails is wearing shoes that are tight or short. Certain nail conditions are often associated with ingrown toenails. For example, if you have had a toenail fungal infection or if you have lost a nail through trauma, you are at greater risk for developing an ingrown toenail.

How do you Treat Ingrown Toenails?


Sometimes initial treatment for ingrown toenails can be safely performed at home. However, home treatment is strongly discouraged if you suspect you have an infection, or if you have a medical condition that puts your feet at high risk such as diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, or poor circulation.

At home care for an ingrown toenail:

If you don't have an infection or any of the above conditions, you can soak your foot in room-temperature water (add Epsom's salt if you wish), and gently massage the side of the nail fold to help reduce the inflammation. Avoid attempting “bathroom surgery” which consists of repeated cutting of the nail. This can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it's time to see Dr. Neuhaus.

Physician care for an ingrown toenail:

Dr. Matthew Neuhaus will examine your toe and select the treatment best suited for you.

Other ingrown toenail treatments may include:
 

• If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.
   
• A simple procedure, often performed in the office, is commonly needed to ease the pain and remove the offending nail. This procedure involves numbing the toe and removing a corner of the nail, a larger portion of the nail, or the entire nail.
   
• Various techniques may be used to destroy or remove the nail root. This treatment prevents the recurrence of an ingrown toenail. Your surgeon will determine the most appropriate procedure for you. Following nail surgery, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little painafter surgery and may resume normal activity the next day. If your surgeon has prescribed an oral antibiotic, be sure to take all the medication, even if your symptoms have improved.
   

How do you prevent ingrown toenails?

Many cases of ingrown toenails may be prevented by following these two important tips:
 

• Cut your toenails in a fairly straight line, and don't cut them too short. You should be able to get your fingernail under the sides and end of the nail.
   
• Don't wear shoes that are short or tight in the toe box. Also avoid shoes that are loose, because they too cause pressure on the toes, especially when you run or walk briskly.

Copyright © 2006, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.