Ingrown Fingernail: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Jun 28, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Jun 28, 2024Table of Contents
An ingrown fingernail occurs when the corner or edge of the nail burrows into the flesh around it. This can lead to unwanted problems like pain, redness, and even infections if not managed on time. It’s crucial to know the symptoms, causes, and management of ingrown nails to avoid such issues.
In this article, we will discuss regarding ingrown fingernails, from how to identify them to the common causes, and from management options to tips on reducing their risk. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Noticing the signs of ingrown fingernails early may help avoid any nasty complications.
When a nail digs into the surrounding skin, pressure builds up. This pressure causes pain and discomfort. The pain level can vary depending on how bad the condition is.
Once a nail pierces the skin, it can lead to redness and swelling around it. This is the body’s natural way of fighting the injury. As the nail digs deeper, you may notice more flare-ups.
In some cases, pus may build up around the ingrown nail. If an infection arises due to the ingrown nail, an abscess may develop. Pus is an amalgamation of dead tissue, bacteria, and white blood cells. It is a sign of ongoing conflict between your body’s defenses and the invading bacteria.
If your whole fingertip has become inflamed, it’s time to take action. Your finger may be sore, warm, and throbbing with pain. If any of these symptoms crop up, it’s best to seek medical help.
How you cut your nails can make a difference. Cutting nails too short or at a slant can persuade the nail to grow into the skin. Try to cut your nails straight over and softly round the tips to keep ingrown nails at bay.
Hurting Or bitten your nails too much could lead to uneven breaks or tears, increasing the odds of ingrown nails. Try to take care of your nails and fight the urge to bite them.
Some people are born with a higher risk of getting ingrown nails. They might have naturally bent nails or thick ones. In cases like these, asking a doctor for advice would be a good idea.
Ill-fitting shoes or gloves can push your nails into the skin around them. Aim for footwear and gloves that offer a comfortable fit and adequate room for your fingers and toes.
Certain health issues can play a part in forming ingrown nails. Diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or fungal infections can alter nail growth. Early management of these conditions may help fight off ingrown nails.
In mild cases, when the symptoms aren’t too bad, you may try some home remedies which are as follows.
Immerse your finger in a warm water bath several times a day. This softens the nail and surrounding skin, making it easier to lift it away from the irritated area.
After the warm water bath, use a small piece of cotton or gauze. Tuck it under the ingrown nail to guide its growth and keep it off the skin.
Non-prescription creams may help manage an infection. Be sure to follow the product’s instructions and discuss with a healthcare professional if needed.
If the pain is too much, try over-the-counter pain killers. You can use meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Remember to stick to the dose guidelines and ask a healthcare professional for advice if you’re unsure.
In home remedies are not working, or an infection has set in. Medical therapy may be the way forward.
Your doctor may ask you to take oral drugs for managing an infection. Don’t forget to take the full course of medication to fight off repeated infections.
Sometimes, your doctor might suggest antibiotic or antifungal creams or lotions. Use these as directed to manage the infection. Consult a healthcare professional if the infection persists.
An abscess is a pocket of pus. If one forms due to an ingrown nail, a healthcare professional may need to drain it. They numb the affected area before making a tiny cut to release the pus.
In bad cases or if the issue keeps reoccurring, a minor surgery might be needed. This choice consists of two options. Either removing part of the problematic nail. Or, in extreme cases, removing the full nail. The doctor may also destroy the nail matrix (nail tissue) to stop it from causing more trouble.
Here, the healthcare professional numbs the affected finger. Then, they remove the troublesome part of the nail. This eases the pain and allows the nail to grow back correctly.
In worst-case scenarios, removing the entire nail may be the only option. Following this, the nail matrix is managed to stop the problem nail from growing back.
The doctor can use different methods to destroy the nail matrix. This can stop a problematic nail from growing back in the future.
Improper nail care, health issues, and your genes can raise the odds of repeated ingrown nails. Simple things like taking care of your nails and watching for triggers can reduce this risk.
Ingrown nails can cause small skin openings. Bacteria can enter these, causing infections. Keep the area clean and be on the alert for signs of infection like swelling, redness, and pus.
If you don’t manage an infection, an abscess might form. This is both painful and harmful. If you think you have an abscess, consult a doctor right away.
Paronychia is a tissue infection around a nail. An ingrown fingernail can lead to this issue. As the symptoms like redness, swelling, and pain are similar, proper health advice is necessary to avoid it from getting worse.
Always cut your nails straight and round the tips lightly. Don’t cut them too short or at a slant. This can help deter the nail from digging into the skin.
Making sure your shoes and gloves are of the right fit can avoid pressure on your nails.
Early management of health conditions like diabetes or peripheral artery disease helps avoid ingrown nails. These conditions can impact nail health and growth, leading to complications.
Clean, short, tidy nails are less prone to becoming ingrown. Avoid biting or picking at your nails to lessen the risk of such issues.
Ingrown fingernails might seem minor but can cause a lot of discomfort. Additionally, they can lead to worse issues if not managed promptly. Early detection is key to dealing with symptoms like tenderness, swelling, and possible infections.
By considering the causes of ingrown fingernails, adopting good habits, and seeking suitable management, you may be able to avoid such pains. Always remember to keep your nails healthy and reach out to a healthcare professional if you have any worries.
You can try home remedies like warm water soaks, over-the-counter creams, or inserting cotton or gauze. But, if these don’t work, or you detect an infection, it’s best to seek medical help.
Ignoring an ingrown fingernail can lead to bigger issues like infections, abscesses, or persistently increasing pain. So, it’s vital you address it right away or ask for medical help if needed.
Paronychia, a nail tissue infection, can look like an ingrown nail. As the symptoms are pretty similar, asking a healthcare professional for advice is a smart choice.
A mild case of an ingrown nail can clear up on its own with proper care. But, if the condition worsens or there are signs of infection, ask a healthcare professional for the right advice.
Consult a doctor if home remedies don’t work, pain intensifies, an abscess forms, there are signs of infection, or you have health issues that raise the risk of complications. Related issues are diabetes or poor blood flow.
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