An ingrown fingernail is a condition where the nail grows into the peripheral nail bed. The peripheral soft tissues or the paronychium gets inflamed and becomes painful due to the inward growth of the nail and leads to pain. The inflammation further

It is very easy to identify an ingrown fingernail, the later sides of the skin folding over the nail gives the finger a rounded look. Besides, the nail and the surrounding bed are extremely painful to touch too. Even a slightest touch of a bed sheet can be painful to the person. Some of the common symptoms of ingrown fingernail are swelling with pain, redness and inflammation. The finger can become so tender to touch that many times the person is forced to keep the finger away from every activity. The pain and inflammation is later followed by formation of pus or abscess between the nail and the nail bed.

There are ways to prevent the nail from growing inward. Though an ingrown fingernail has a genetic predisposition factor attached to it, there are many other common causative factors attributing to the same. It has been noticed that siblings belonging to the same family can have a strong disposition to have an ingrown fingernail. Besides this, habits like nail biting, improper nail care and shapely curved cutting of the nails are some of the most common causes. It is always better to cut the nail straight and not curved. By cutting the nails curved, the ends are directed into the nail bed leading to the further growth into the lateral sides of the skin.

There are many easy home care treatments that can help ease the pain and inflammation of the affected finger. Soaking the affected finger in warm water is one of the most effective means. Adding Epsom salt or baking soda helps relieve the swelling and the pain as well. When the nail becomes soft after soaking, you can slowly and cautiously cut away the extended extra length that is piercing the skin. Applying antiseptic creams will help prevent the nail from getting infected. If the nail is very painful taking a pain killer or NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, will be helpful. It is always advisable to consult the concerned physician for a treatment with an antibiotic drug to arrest any infection. In severe cases of ingrown fingernail complete or partial nail removal is advised.