Ingrown
Nails
A
condition whereby the nail grows into the skin of the toe instead of over
it.
What to
look for
Ingrown
nails usually affect the toenails and can be very painful.
People who
have curved or thick nails are most susceptible, although anyone can
suffer from ingrown nails as a result of an injury or because of shoes
which do not fit properly.
Diabetics
need to be aggressive in treating and preventing minor foot ailments
because they can develop into serious medical problems.
Causes
Ingrown
nails are most frequently caused by cutting your toenails too short or
rounding the nail edges, or by wearing ill-fitting shoes that press the
nail into your toe. You can also develop an ingrown nail after an injury
such as stubbing your toe.
Traditional
Treatment
This can be
prevented by wearing shoes that fit well, and by taking proper care when
you cut your toenails. Care must be taken to ensure the area does not
become infected.
If this
does occur, you will probably be put on a course of antibiotics and be
given an ointment to help the infection.
|