Saturday, April 28, 2012

Copyright (c) 2010 Dr Alireza Khosroabady DPM

Copyright (c) 2010 Dr Alireza Khosroabady DPM

Few of us go through life without experiencing at least one incidence of an ingrown toenail.

If you?ve ever had one, you know you did - the pain, swelling and redness at the top of the toe where nail ?grows into? your skin. The ?hot-to-the-touch? jolt when you touch the top of your nail. Walking can be misery.

An ingrown toenail -- the medical term is onychocryptosis -- is when your skin becomes inflamed around your nail and then begins to cover your nail. The nail?s edge seemingly begins to grow ?in? to your toe?s skin (hence the ?ingrown? term).

What?s more, your nail?s corners can gauge into your skin, cutting into it and leaving your toe open to infection.

Most ingrown nails happen on the foot?s big toe. They can be a problem for diabetics and others with poor circulation. If this is you, see your podiatrist at the first sign of an ingrown nail.

You needn?t suffer from an ingrown nail. Here are some tips to prevent them:

Watch how your shoes fit. Too-small shoes can put pressure on your toes, causing your nails to curve in. Too-large shoes also can cause ingrown toenails because the moving back and forth In addition, when you cut your toenails, be sure to cut them straight across, not curved. Do all you can to never have nail fungus attack your toes because the fungus affects your nail bed and also can distort your nail?s shape. In addition, keep your feet dry; moisture can weaken the skin, making it more inviting for a fungal infection. And a fungal infection can help bring on ingrown toenails.

If you do get an ingrown toenail, soak the foot for 15-20 minutes three times a day in warm water filled with Epsom salts. Tenderness and the red look should fade in two or three days, but continue the soaking regimen until all signs of inflammation are gone. Try to wear loose fitting -- but not too large -- shoes. Open toed shoes are best, if you can manage it.

If the redness or pain continues -- and especially if you see pus -- visit a medical professional/podiatrist quickly. He or she may have you take antibiotics if there is a sign of infection. The podiatrist also may use a special nail cutter to take out the nail wedge that?s growing into your skin.

Don?t let your ingrown nail deteriorate to the point where you will need a nail avulsion, which is a complete or partial removal of your toenail. Your nail will grow back, but it can take several months for it to do so.

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Dr. Alireza Khosroabady is a Fellowship trained foot & ankle surgeon. He did his Surgical training in NY and his fellowship at the Rubin institute for Advanced Orthopedics/International Center for Limb Lengthening at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore with world renowned Orthopedic Surgeons. He is practicing in LA, CA . More information @ you can also request his free book by going to

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