what is an ingrown toe-nail and what causes them?

Answer 1

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.

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.

Answer 2

When one cuts one's toe nails down the sides of the toes, much the way one cuts the finger nails, THIS IS WRONG. Flesh will grow faster than the nail, therefore covering the growing nail. This causes the nail growth to push through the flesh. A little like cutting teeth. Painful. This is called "an ingrown toe nail".
To avoid this, always cut the the nail "straight across" the toe. Leave some of the nail on the sides extend to the edge of the toe. One can trim off sharp edges but not too far down the sides.

Answer 3

Ingrown toenails are nails that grow into the sides of the toe. Often, ingrown toenails are caused by cutting the nail incorrectly or too short. When the nail cuts into the skin, an infection may form, making the toe swollen, red and puss-filled. When this happens, you may feel a dull aching pain in the affected toe. Eventually, an ingrown toenail can make it difficult to wear shoes or walk comfortably.

If you have an ingrown toenail, you need to see a doctor. He or she will determine your treatment based on the condition of your toenail. If it's infected, you may need antibiotics. Once the infection has cleared, you will learn how to pack the edge of the nail with cotton and you will receive instruction on proper nail hygiene. In severe cases, the nail and nail matrix, the part that makes the nail grow, will be surgically removed.

Answer 4

As they all say: How to prevent them: Do not use a round nail clippers or round scissors. Use a straight edged one and cut the nail straight across. Do not go around the corners and do not cut them too short. If you have an ingrown toe nail, it is usually the large toes, do as I just said then cut a 'V' in the front. This causes the nail to move away from the corners...........

Answer 5

My brother gets them only on his big toes. It's where you have a toenail that grows on the side. (Inside for my brother) It just curls inward and cuts into your toe and can get very nasty. Best way to prevent them is to always cut your toenails straight across, never rounded. I don't know why that is, but that's what my bro's doctor told him to do to prevent it. To get rid of it the doctor has to inject your toe in several places with a Novocaine and then cut into the side of your toe where it's ingrown and cut the longer part out. I've seen it done, it is NOT pretty. Best to have that done before it gets too long, will hurt a lot.

Answer 6

I agree. I get them once in a while and their just painful. If you can stand to dig out the portion that has grown into the skin and cut it off you'll be fine, and maybe try not to cut them too short. Doesn't make it better by cutting them shorter, just takes more time for it to become ingrown. But chanes are once it starts it will continue. Just stay on top of keeping them trimmed.

Answer 7

i think u get the drift on what an ingrown toenail is. it is often caused by the way u cut them. cut ur nail straight across. i used to have them really bad and it broke the skin and my foot was infected. its a simple procedure to get them taken care of. they just cut a strip out of ur nail along the side.

Answer 8

An ingrown toenail is caused by your toenail, growing into the skin that surrounds it. It isn't abnormal, some people just have toes that do that.

Answer 9

a nail growing into the skin that is around the nail. The can be painful sometimes. just keep your nails nicely trimmed and there shouldnt be much of a problem