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INGROWN TOENAILS (ONYCHOCRYPTOSIS)

An ingrown toenail is one that grows into the skin, causing irritation, redness and swelling at the site.  Sometimes it will develop into an infection.

Ingrown nails can occur on any toe, although most commonly they are found on the big toe.

Some ingrown toenails are chronic, with repeated episodes of pain and infection.

Other names or similar foot conditions:

• Toe infection
• Onychocryptosis

Symptoms:

• Pain, redness and irritation at site
• Infection at site

Signs to look for:

• Redness and irritation at site
• Infection at site
• Shoes with low toe box and/or wear marks at toe box

Possible Causes:

• Some toenails are too large and predisposed to grow inward
• Arthritis and other conditions causing toes to curl and press against other toes
• Injury to toenail
• Overtraining – repeated pounding of feet
• Cutting toenails on a curve vs. straight across
• Shoes with toe boxes that are too narrow and/or shallow
• Too much moisture in shoe increases probability of infection at site

Goals:

• Cut off the ingrown nail and cure infection
• Accommodative footwear and arch support for those predisposed due to heredity or medical conditions
• Prevention

Solutions:

Arch Supports:

• Bio-Orthotics Winstep or Sundance exercising support with metatarsal lift

• Lower and thinner arch support with longitudinal and metatarsal support, such as the Bio-Orthotics Journey or Silhouette, for use when shoes cannot accommodate the Winstep or Sundance exercising support

• Extra depth shoe with high toe box, firm heel counter, rocker sole and steel shank

• Shoes with stretchable uppers

Other: 

• Medical treatment as necessary

• Copper socks

• Wear socks that are made to wick moisture away from skin

• Wear socks and hosiery that are not too tight

• Spot stretching of shoe with ball and ring stretching

• Place cedar shoe trees in shoes after each wearing so shoes always fully dry out

Activities:

• If caused by overtraining, cut back until symptoms abate and institute arch support and shoe changes

• Cut and file toenails straight across

This information does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition and does not take the place of a doctor’s care.  The information has been compiled from sources available to the general public and referenced below.  Copyright 2005 Carole Romig

Sources  Image:  Foot.com  Text:  Foot.com, J. Vonhof, Fixing Your Feet