An ingrown toenail may begin with nothing more than a little pain or tenderness around the edge of the nail. But if it is ignored, the problem can become much worse. In severe cases, the toenail can grow deeply into the surrounding skin, causing swelling, redness, bleeding, discharge, and significant pain.
The big toe is the most common place for an ingrown toenail. It happens when the edge or corner of the toenail grows into the soft skin instead of growing normally over the end of the toe.
How Does an Ingrown Toenail Happen?
There are several reasons why a toenail may become ingrown. Cutting the nails too short or rounding the corners can cause the nail to grow into the skin. Wearing tight shoes can also put pressure on the sides of the toenail.Some people naturally have curved or unusually shaped toenails, which can make them more likely to develop ingrown nails. Injuries to the toe can also change the way the nail grows.At first, the problem may seem small. There might only be slight tenderness when walking or wearing shoes. But continued pressure can cause increasing inflammation and damage to the surrounding skin.
When an Ingrown Toenail Becomes Severe
A severe ingrown toenail can look very different from a normal toenail. The skin around the nail may become extremely swollen, red, and painful.When the problem continues for a long time, extra tissue can grow around the nail. This tissue may bleed easily or produce fluid. The nail itself may become deeply buried inside the surrounding skin.Walking can become uncomfortable, and even wearing ordinary shoes may put painful pressure on the toe.
Signs of Possible Infection
An ingrown toenail does not always mean there is an infection, but certain symptoms should be taken seriously.These include increasing redness, swelling, warmth, worsening pain, pus or other discharge, bleeding, or redness that begins spreading around the toe.A fever or feeling unwell can also be a warning sign that medical attention is needed.
Should You Remove a Severe Ingrown Toenail Yourself?
When people see a nail digging deeply into the skin, they may want to cut it out themselves. However, digging into the skin or aggressively cutting the nail can cause additional injury and make the situation worse.For a mild ingrown toenail, simple care such as soaking the foot in warm water, keeping the area clean and dry, wearing comfortable shoes, and avoiding pressure on the toe may help.But a very large, deeply embedded, extremely painful, or infected ingrown toenail should be examined by a healthcare professional.
How Severe Ingrown Toenails Are Treated
Treatment depends on the severity of the problem.For a mild case, a healthcare professional may carefully lift the nail edge away from the skin and use a small piece of material to keep it separated while the nail grows.For a severe case, the doctor may numb the toe and remove the portion of the nail that is growing into the skin. In people who repeatedly develop ingrown toenails, part of the nail-producing tissue may also be treated to reduce the chance of the problem returning.Although professional treatment can sometimes look dramatic, the goal is to remove the pressure from the skin and allow the toe to heal properly.
How to Prevent Ingrown Toenails
Prevention starts with proper nail care.Toenails should generally be trimmed straight across instead of cutting deeply into the corners. Avoid cutting them extremely short.Wearing shoes with enough room for the toes can also reduce pressure on the sides of the nails. Keeping the feet clean and dry is another important part of good foot care.If someone repeatedly develops ingrown toenails, professional advice can help identify the reason and prevent future problems.
Final Thoughts
A huge ingrown toenail is not simply a cosmetic problem. What begins as a small piece of nail pressing against the skin can eventually cause severe pain, swelling, tissue growth, and infection.If an ingrown toenail becomes extremely painful, produces pus, becomes increasingly swollen, or develops spreading redness, it is important to seek medical attention.Taking care of an ingrown toenail early can prevent a small problem from becoming a painful and much more serious one.