Ingrown Fingernail

When one thinks of an ingrown nail, the first thought that comes to mind is usually an ingrown toenail, but an ingrown fingernail can occur just as well. An ingrown fingernail usually happens when there has been improper care of the nail such as biting of the nail, trimming the nails incorrectly, or it can be due to injury of the nail bed.

While an ingrown fingernail is rare, it can be treated in various ways such as by a doctor and at home care. It is best to learn what an ingrown fingernail looks like, or if you have any concern about your fingernails to go to your physician and have the condition checked out. Receiving early care by a doctor will reduce your chance of the ingrown fingernail becoming infected. Once you get to your health care provider he or she can do many things to start the treatment process. The first step in treating the nail is more than likely is to reshape it. This step can include trimming the nail into a correct shape, and shaping it so the nail doesn’t penetrate the surrounding skin any further. The health care provider may even trim any extra skin that is around the ingrown nail as well.  Medication to prevent infection may be given topically or orally such as in the form of an antibiotic pill or cream. Lastly, pain medication may be prescribed based on how intense your pain factor is.

After receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment from a doctor, one can treat the ingrown fingernail at home.  You can soak the nail that’s ingrown in some warm salt water multiple times a day to relieve any discomfort and/or swelling that may occur. Soaking the nail also makes for easier clipping, if need be. Be sure to dry thoroughly afterward so that moisture doesn’t  get trapped underneath. Rubbing an ointment that is antibacterial after soaking the nail, will also help prevent any bacteria from breeding as well.  To prevent further injury to your ingrown fingernail, especially if you play sports, you should request a finger splint from your health care provider as well as keep a bandage on your fingernail.  Be sure to change your bandage often to keep the area around your nail as clean as possible . Massaging the skin around the fingernail with olive oil or other moisturizing element also helps with the fingernail, as it prevents bacteria from entering small cracks within the skin.  

Having an ingrown fingernail can be painful, but if it is taken care of immediately, it can be remedied before it becomes worse.

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We can prevent the occurrence of an ingrown fingernail if we know the causes of the problem. It is pretty hard to cure and remove an ingrown nail, so it is smart to know the causes and avoid an ingrown fingernail right from the start.

                                                     
Poor nail care. If you are careless with your hygiene and don’t properly cut and care for your nail, this will lead to a problem. Always file your nail on the top and the sides to prevent an ingrown nail. Using detergent soap will make your skin dry.  If your skin is dry, it will probably break and make it easier for the nail to grow inside your skin.

Improper trimming of the nail. If you are trimming your nail too short or in a curved shape, this will encourage the nail to grow downward toward the skin. If this happens, an ingrown nail occurs. The nail will dig into the skin and break the tissue. Please be aware that you have to cut your nail straight across and not in a curved shape to prevent nail growth into the skin.

Unsuitable footwear. If you are active and sporty or you wear tight shoes, your toes receive pressure from your footwear that will compress the nail and make it grow downward. In addition, if you don’t change your socks regularly, this can be another reason for having ingrown nails. Some ingrown nails are the result of bacterial infections. You can see pus or sometimes blood coming out from your skin due to the bacterial infection.

Trauma to your toe or fingernail. If you drop something on your toe or fingernail, your nail plate will deform or flatten. In this case, the shape of your nail will become different and may lead to an ingrown nail. Sometimes you cannot prevent trauma to your nail, so it is smart to take steps to cure the portion of the nail that is embedded into your skin as soon as possible.

Biting your nail. Many people have a habit of biting their nails. This habit will make your nail an odd shape and can create sharp edges either on the top or the sides of the nail. The sharp edges will dig into the tissue of your skin and grow inside. This is the cause of the pain when you have ingrown nails.

Take care of your toenails and fingernails so you will never experience this kind of problem. Having an ingrown fingernail is something that you should not ignore. Take necessary treatments immediately if needed. There are many home remedies that will help you cure your ingrown fingernail.

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Ingrown fingernails are less common than ingrown toenails. Ingrown nails usually occur in toes, specifically the big toenail. The nail digs into the tissue of the skin, which is the reason you feel extreme pain, especially when you touch the affected area. There are ways to prevent in-growth. It is important that you attend to your problem as soon as possible to keep it safe from infection.

Here are some helpful tips on how to prevent an ingrown fingernail:

1. When cutting your fingernail, you should cut it straight across and avoid a curved shape. Many people want to cut their nail too short and in a curved shape. This will just worsen the ingrown nail problem. When you cut it straight across, however, there is a tendency for the nail to become square and have sharp edges that might cause runs in stockings or snag on socks. You can avoid this by filing the edges using a nail file. In the event that you cut your nail too short and then realize that it is starting to grow back downward, prevent a problem by placing cotton under your nail to encourage the nail to grow straight.
                   
2. Make it a habit to file your fingernails regularly. This will prevent the side of the nail from growing into the skin. Avoid biting your fingernails because this gives your nails sharp edges that will easily dig into your skin.

3. Focus on your personal hygiene.  Make sure that your hands and toes are clean and ensure that your feet are clean and dry before wearing shoes to avoid bacteria build up.

4. Wear comfortable shoes especially when you are playing sports to prevent your nails from trauma. It is recommended to not wear shoes that are tight and small. Always change your socks regularly.

5. When washing your hands, try to use organic soaps because they keep your hands soft and will not dry out the skin on your fingers. If you have dry fingers, your skin will break and will encourage ingrown fingernails to dig into it.

By following these simple steps and having the right fingernail care, you can avoid an ingrown fingernail.  However, if you already see and feel the symptoms of ingrown fingernails, do not ignore it because if it remains untreated, you might need to see a podiatrist for some medical care and surgery. It is better to prevent an ingrown fingernail than to cure it.

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An ingrown fingernail can be treated easily, especially when it is just starting. If it becomes severe, it needs surgery and proper medication. It is very painful to have ingrown fingernails, so before it becomes too late, follow these quick steps below on how to heal the ingrown nail safely.

1. Soak your nail for 15 to 20 minutes in warm water with baking soda or salt. Epsom salt is also a good alternative if you don’t have baking soda. This will soften your nail so it won’t be hard for you to lift the nail up when you are going to heal it.

2. Dry your hand or toe gently with a towel and be careful not to press your finger on it too hard as it only adds pain. Do not put too much pressure when drying your fingernail.

3. It may be painful, but at least try to cut down the nail that is embedded into your skin. Clip the nail in a straight line and not in a curved shape. Clip away sharp corners because they will embed themselves into the skin again when they grow. If you feel that the nail is still not soft, try to soak it again in the warm water to soften it more. Leave it for another 10 to 15 minutes, then try to trim the nail again.

4. You can also use a nail file to shorten the part of the ingrown nail that is digging into your skin. Move it back and forth softly and gently. This will help you remove the nail that is embedded deeply into the skin.

5. Apply some coconut oil or olive oil onto the affected area. This will relieve the pain that the ingrown nail created. You can also rub on some tea oil, as it is useful in killing bacteria. It is better to focus on killing the bacteria since the fingernail will heal itself when the bacteria are gone.

Now that you have trimmed your nail, you want to make sure that the nail will never go back to the way that it was. Make it a habit to massage your nail two times a day, which will heal your finger easily. Always apply coconut oil or olive oil since they encourage proper nail growth. It is also good to put some cotton or a strip of dental floss under your fingernail to ensure that it will grow straight and never create an ingrown fingernail again.

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An ingrown fingernail (Onychocryptosis, from the Greek word onyx, or “nail,” and kryptos, or “hidden”) takes place when the edges of the nail dig into the tissue of the skin. It breaks the soft tissues when the nail continuously grows under the skin, which creates pain and can lead to serious infections.  Although this can happen to both fingernails and toenails, it is more common in toenails. 

                                                     
Possible causes of ingrown nails include wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow, improper nail cutting or trimming, dropping something on your toe, poor nail care and nail biting. When you are wearing tight or narrow shoes, the shape of the nail curls downward and causes it to grow inward. It will embed itself into your skin and you will feel the pain when it grows longer. Cutting your nail too short or following the curve shape can also create ingrown nails. When you bite your nails, there is a possibility of creating sharp edges or bad angles that might hurt the tissue of your skin. When you have had an accident involving your fingernail, the nail bed will deform and the shape of the nail may become different. Accidents may create sharp edges as well. Ingrown nails can also occur when you take poor care of your fingernails and toenails or don’t cut them regularly. Ingrown fingernails may also cause infections.

Swelling and redness of the finger and pain caused by simply touching the nail are signs of ingrown nails. If the pain is severe, you may see that the color of your skin has changed. You may also see some fluid or pus coming out from your finger. There may be some blood if the infection is serious. You may also find that the end of your finger is tender or that there is a bump under your infected skin.

It is easy to cure or treat an ingrown fingernail, but the problem may also need some surgery in severe cases. There are a lot of available home treatments for ingrown nails. It is very important to heal the ingrown nail once you feel pain to avoid surgery. Make sure that you clean your fingers to ward off infections. When the pain is severe and your ingrown fingernail is too deep to cut, that’s the time to consult a doctor for evaluation and further instructions.

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An ingrown fingernail is a condition in which the periphery of the fingernail digs into the margin of the surrounding flesh. The fingernail continues to grow while its edge plows painfully into the skin causing inflammation and formation of pus. Improper or careless nail cutting is the most common cause of ingrown fingernails. Poor nail care, nail biting, and an unhealed nail wound may also cause deformed growth of the nails contributing to this condition. This condition is just minor and is easy to manage but if left untreated, this simple lesion may get infected and cause further complications. Thus, it is advisable to treat the ingrown fingernail as early as possible by keeping it clean, intact, and germ free.

Symptoms of an ingrown fingernail include redness, inflammation or swelling, tenderness in the surrounding flesh, and pus formation. You can also notice a bump or elevation of the skin where the fingernail abnormally plowed.  Signs of severe or infected ingrown fingernail are fever, discoloration of the flesh, and excruciating pain.

There are many ways to manage ingrown fingernail, one is to soak or submerge the affected hand in a basin of warm water with baking soda and salt solution. You can use Epsom salt because it is believed to be more effective than regular salt. Submerge the hand for about 15 to 20 minutes to soften the surrounding flesh. Slowly, elevate the nail using a sterilize cuticle pusher and then trim or cut the excessive fingernail. You can use a nail file or nail nipper as alternatives, but make sure they are disinfected. This is done to ease the pressure brought about by the ingrown nail. Trim the edge of the nail properly just enough and not too short because it may only aggravate the condition. Make sure to keep the area clean and dry with a towel. You can apply olive or coconut oil while massaging it to relieve the pain and to promote good blood circulation.

If the ingrown nail continues to exacerbate and resists home management, you should see a health care provider for a more complex assessment of the fingernail. The provider may prescribe antibiotics and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve the pain and prevent the occurrence of infection. Proper trimming and good hygiene habits will decrease your chances of having this condition. Avoid biting your nails to prevent them from having sharp or irregular edges. Make certain to make a straight cut and not a curved one when cutting nails in order to avoid an ingrown fingernail.

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Ingrown fingernail is a condition in which the nail does not grow above the flesh as it should, but instead grows into it. The result is a painful situation that can leave the affected skin extremely sore and red. Nail biting and cutting your fingernails too short, are the main causes for this uncomfortable condition. People with curved fingernails are more susceptible to ingrown fingernails than others. Home treatment involves softening the ingrown fingernail, and freeing it from the affected skin.

An ingrown fingernail occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin. An ingrown fingernail is usually painful. You may notice redness, swelling or pus pockets around the ingrown area. If the nail is infected or has grown far into the skin, seek medical care. Medical treatments include cutting off part of the nail, removal of the nail, and antibiotics to combat the infection. If you notice that your fingernail is becoming ingrown and no infection is present, it is safe to try to treat your nail at home.

Symptoms

Redness, swelling and tenderness in the skin surrounding your fingernail indicate an ingrown nail. If the nail becomes infected, pus and discoloration may appear around the edges of the nail. In some cases, you can see the bump of the nail under the skin.

There are quite a number of signs and symptoms that will show that you are suffering from ingrown nails.

• Tender skin

The first and most common sign in many people, is the skin near the nail feeling tender and looking reddish.

• Swollen skin

Swollen skin around the nails is another sign of ingrown fingernails. This is due to the pressure the nail puts on the skin around it. When the nail strains the skin, it will cause the skin to become red and swollen.

• Pain  

Having sharp pain around the nail area, is another major symptom of ingrown fingernails. This condition will worsen as the skin will grows over the nail. If this condition is not attended to, it may lead to fungal infections.

Causes

The most common causes of an ingrown fingernail are:

• Poor nail care

• Nail biting

• Trimming nails into curved shapes, or leaving sharp edges

• long nails or deformed nails

• An injury to the nail, resulting in inward growth of the fingernail

Treatment

• If you have a nail that has been ingrown for some time, you can remove it from the skin.

• Soak the finger in warm water.

• This water should be diluted with Payodine, an iodine concentrated solution.

• After soaking, remove it and clean the area with tissue.

If the ingrown fingernail has grown to an extent that home remedies cannot take care of the problem, it is best to consult a doctor. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed.

Home Remedies

Treatment for an ingrown fingernail includes warm soaks, and proper nail trimming. Partial nail removal may be required in some cases, in order to promote healing. Pain killers may help relieve pain. Skin infections may require treatment with antibiotics.

Ingrown nails Remedies

Before you try to prick out the ingrown nail, dip your finger in warm water with Payodine.

• Dip your nails for 15-20 minutes, by which time the nail would be softened.

• This will provide relief from the pressure of the ingrown fingernail.

• When the nail is in very soft condition, cut the inward pointed edges of the nails using a sharp nail cutter.

• Cut the nails in a “V” shape, encouraging it to grow outside in the future.

Ingrown fingernail is an often painful condition that can usually be prevented with good hygiene and nail care.

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Introduction

An ingrown fingernail occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin. An ingrown fingernail is usually painful. You may observe redness, swelling, or pus around the infected area. If the nail is infected or has grown far into the skin, seek medical care. Medical treatments include cutting pointed edges, removal of the entire nail and antibiotics to control the infection. If you see this type of complication early, then simple home treatment can also cure it.

Causes

• The usual cause of ingrown fingernails is improper trimming of the nails. Nail biting can cause ingrown fingernails, as well as injury to the hand that tears the nail. Sometimes the natural shape or thickness of the nail can lead to the condition. Diabetes patients often suffer severe cases of ingrown fingernails.

People with poor hygiene, who do not clean their nails properly, can get ingrown fingernails.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an ingrown fingernail include:

• Finger pain

• Pain located around the fingernail

• Skin redness

• Skin swelling

• Skin tightness

Treatment

Treatments for ingrown nails usually involve soaking fingers in an iodine solution, to soften the nail. Cutting the nails straight across rather than in a curved direction, slowly pulls back the nail onto its original path.

Treatment options for an ingrown fingernail include:

• Warm dips for ingrown nail

• Trim the ingrown nail with nail clippers

• Antibiotics for ingrown nail

Risks & Complications

Risk factors for an ingrown fingernail include:

• Less chances of recovery in older people

• Nail deformity, resulting in the nail losing its original shape

• Finger injury leading to finger loss

Prevention of Ingrown Fingernail

Ingrown fingernails can be prevented in a number of ways The most common is the proper trimming of the nails. Proper trimming means that you trim them to the required size, not cutting them too short

It is also important to properly dry the nails to prevent micro-bacterial growth in them. The most important preventative measure of all, is to cut the nails straight. Don’t cut their sides into curves.

These are quite simple, but very valuable, precautions to prevent your fingers from experiencing the painful syndrome of ingrown fingernail.

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Ingrown Fingernail is a condition that occurs when a person has a nail that has grown inside the skin of the finger. The corners of the nail start growing into the skin resulting in pain, redness and swelling of the skin around the nail. In many cases, the skin becomes infected. Ingrown fingernails can be cured with proper care and treatment.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an ingrown fingernail include finger pain in the skin that is located next to the nail, red, swollen skin and tenderness. There can also be a tightness in the skin around the fingernail, due to swelling.

Causes

• Poor nail care

• Nail biting

• Cutting nails into curved edges

• An injury leading to an ingrown fingernail

Treatment

Treatment for an ingrown fingernail includes warm soaks, and proper nail trimming. Partial nail removal may be required in some cases.  Painkillers may help to control pain. Skin infections may require treatment with antibiotics.

Prevention

This condition can be prevented in a number of ways. The most common means of doing this is by ensuring that you properly trim the nails. Proper trimming means that you use the right equipment to trim your nails. Using nail clippers, trim them to the required length. Don’t make them too short.

Proper washing and maintaining of the nails is another thing way to avoid getting ingrown fingernails. Once you have washed your nails, it is good to wipe them and leave them to dry. This will prevent any infection. Leaving your nails wet, may cause the skin around them to weaken.

It is good to prevent occurrence of ingrown fingernails by cutting the nails straight. Don’t cut them into curves, as this may trigger the problem of ingrown fingernails. These are just a few suggestions, to help you steer clear of the problem of ingrown fingernails.

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Definition

An ingrown fingernail occurs when the edge of the nail becomes embedded in the surrounding skin. The nail begins to grown down into and under the skin, causing severe pain and possible infection.

Introduction

Ingrown fingernail is a common form of nail disease. It is an often painful condition, in which the nail grows so that it cuts into one or both sides of the paronychium (nail bed).

An ingrown fingernail can occur after an accident or poor nail care. Some people may only experience an ingrown fingernail once in their lives, while others may be plagued by the problem on a regular basis. Luckily, an ingrown fingernail is easily treated at home, and with the proper preventative measures, can easily become a thing of the past.

Symptoms

Redness, swelling, and tenderness in the skin surrounding your fingernail, indicate an ingrown nail. If the nail becomes infected, pus and discoloration may appear around the edges of the nail. In some cases, you can see the bump of the nail under the skin.

Causes

The most common cause of an ingrown fingernail is poor nail care. Nail biting, trimming nails into curved shapes or leaving sharp edges, long nails, or deformed nails will contribute to ingrown nails. An injury to the nail can also heal poorly and out of shape, causing the nail to become ingrown.

Treatment

To treat the ingrown nail, soak the injured hand in a bath of warm water, with baking soda and salt. Epsom salts are very useful as well. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes. The goal is to soften the skin around the injured nail. Gently lift the nail away from the skin and trim the extra area with a nail file or clipper. This will help relieve pressure on the skin caused by the nail, and encourage the nail to grow away from the skin. Cut a clean line and do not cut the nail too short, as this can only exacerbate the problem. Once the nail is cut, pat the area dry with a clean towel and massage the injured finger with olive or coconut oil. The oil acts as a pain reliever. Treat the wound with antibiotics, and take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication for pain. If your nail does not improve within 2 to 3 days, or shows signs of infection, contact your doctor.

Prevention

Proper trimming of nails will reduce the occurrence of ingrown fingernails. Do not bite your nails, as this can leave sharp and irregular edges. To avoid an ingrown fingernail always cut your nails straight across, never in a curved shape.

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