ingrown toenail

toenail

 [to´nāl]

the nail on any of the digits of the foot.

ingrown toenail aberrant growth of a toenail, with one (usually the outer) margin growing deeply into the nail groove and surrounding tissues.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

ingrown toenail

Onychocryptosis Podiatry The growth of the edge of a toenail–usually of the great toe–into the skin surrounding the nail, which may be accompanied by inflammation or pain Etiology congenitally curved nails, fungal infection, trauma Risk factors Improperly fitted shoes, poorly trimmed toenails; may be more severe in Pts with DM Management Segmental chemical ablation with phenol; partial or total nail matricectomy

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

ingrown toenail

An inaccurate lay term for inflammation and swelling of infected soft tissues surrounding the nail. The swollen tissue overlaps the edge of the nail causing an appearance as if the nail had grown into the tissue. The growth of the nail is normal.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Patient discussion about ingrown toenail

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.

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