Ingrown Nails
An ingrown toenail is a condition where one or more nail borders are incravated (turned in), and penetrate the skin. There is a strong genetic link with ingrown toenails — if you have them it is likely other members of your family do as well. Symptoms commonly associated with ingrown toenails include pain when the offending nail border is pressed, pain caused by wearing tight shoes, redness surrounding the ingrown border, and hard, elevated skin surrounding the nail border. If the nail penetrates the surrounding skin, an infection can occur, which may drain and feel warm.
Prompt treatment of ingrown toenails is essential if infection is to be avoided. Less severe cases can be treated with regular sterile nail care, when the offending border(s) is/are removed. Chronic ingrown toenails, or nails that are infected, are generally treated by permanently removing the ingrown border, which is a minor in-office procedure, where the patient generally can resume normal activities within 1-2 days.
