ingrown nail

[in´grōn]

aberrant growth of a toenail, with one or both lateral margins pushing deeply into adjacent soft tissue, causing pain, inflammation, and possible infection. The condition occurs most frequently in the great toe, and is often caused by pressure from tight-fitting shoes. Another common cause is improper cutting of the toenails, which should be cut straight across or with a curved toenail scissors so that the sides are a little longer than the middle.

in·grown nail

a toenail, one edge of which is overgrown by the nailfold, producing a pyogenic granuloma; due to faulty trimming of the toenails or pressure from a tight shoe.

Synonym(s): ingrowing toenail, onychocryptosis, unguis aduncus, unguis incarnatus

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about onychocryptosis

Q. How to prevent an ingrown toenail? I recently had an ingrown toenail and am scared of having another. How can I prevent it?

A. When you trim your toe nails make sure your cut them straight a cross. What ever you do, don't tear the nail off.

Q. How to treat an ingrown toenail? I think I have an ingrown toenail. How to treat it?

A. When the problem is mild, you may only need to soak your foot in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes and place dry cotton, such as part of a cotton ball, under the corner of the nail. Signs that the problem is getting worse include increasing pain, swelling and drainage of the area. Sometimes minor surgery is needed to remove the part of the nail that is poking into the skin.

Q. What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail? My son has a red toe and complains that it hurts. Is this an ingrown toenail?

A. The main symptom of an ingrown toenail is the pain from the nail growing into the skin instead of over it. If the ingrown toenail gets infected, it might be swollen or red, and it might drain pus. The area around the ingrown toenail is often painful.

More discussions about onychocryptosis

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References in periodicals archive

Onychocryptosis, also known as an ingrown toenail, is a relatively common condition that can be treated with several nonsurgical and surgical approaches.

Conservative therapy should be considered first-line treatment for mild to moderate cases of onychocryptosis. The following are conservative therapy options.

A practical guide to the care of ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails or onychocryptosis is a common problem that can affect walking and preclude daily activities.

Ingrown nails or onychocryptosis. Presse Med 2014;43:1230-9.

B/S Brace as an Alternative Treatment for Ingrown Toenails

Onychocryptosis [from Greek onyx nail and kryptos hidden] also known as ingrown toenail, or unguis incarnatus is a common and painful form of nail disease.1 An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows down and extends into the skin of the toe.

Correct management of onychocryptosis requires identification of the stage and evaluation of the affected tissues.

Superficial cryotherapy - An effective therapeutic modality for ingrown toenail

Onychocryptosis is derived from Greek word (onyx= nail; kryptos= hidden)1.

Effectiveness of ablative partial nail excision with phenolization in advanced stage onychocryptosis (ingrown toe nail)

Onychocryptosis can be accompanied by local sepsis, which is a serious concern in patients on anti-tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] therapy, Ms.

Onychocryptosis strikes RA patients on biologics

The most frequent diagnoses were onychomycosis, nail alterations in a genodermatosis, nail alterations associated with dermatoses, onychocryptosis, and paronychia.

Prevalence of nail changes in patients attending dermatology outpatients at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur: a cross sectional observational study