SOS, I have an ingrown nail! What to do ?

A red, swollen toe with nail penetrates the skin?Chances are you'll have an ingrown toenail. To avoid any infection and treat it well, here are some pedicure-chiropodist tips to keep your feet up.



THE INCARNATED NAIL, WHAT IS IT?
An ingrown nail is a nail that grows in the skin. It is a complication of the nail embedded in the foot. Generally, the affected nail is that of the big toe. The ingrown nail tends to penetrate the skin on the side, rarely in front. 

IT'S DANGEROUS ?
The incarnated nail causes a wound in the furrow. The risk is at first local infection with a panari or botryomycoma and then a more regional infection with a migration of the infection to the bone. "This can be very serious in more vulnerable patients such as diabetics, immunocompromised patients, the elderly, people with prostheses ..." explains a pedicurist-chiropodist

CAUSES OF INGROWN TOENAIL
The incarnated nail is often due to a bad cut of the nails. To avoid it, you need a smooth nail cut (about 1mm white), not too short or too invasive on the sides. Another possible cause of the ingrown nail? Wearing narrow shoes (or worse, sharp!) That compress the toes.Finally, this may be related to hyper curvature or deformation of the nail. 

THE SYMPTOMS OF INGROWN TOENAIL
Initially, we feel discomfort at the moment when our fingernail comes into contact with something (the shoe when we walk, the sheet when sleeping etc.). Then appear signs of local inflammation of the skin (redness, heat, swelling). Finally, the ingrown toenail can become infected and swell to the point that pain throws us and sometimes prevents us from walking properly.

INCARNATE NAIL: WHEN TO CONSULT?
It is recommended to consult a pedicurist-chiropodist at the first symptoms. In case of advanced stage, it will be necessary to go to his general practitioner who will prescribe antibiotics. Finally, if there are severe complications, the podiatrist can refer to an orthopedic surgeon. 

TREATMENTS AGAINST INGROWN TOENAIL
Before consulting a specialist who will remove the ingrown nail after treatment, immediately disinfect the wound with an antiseptic and wear open or wide shoes. It is also recommended to let the toe dip in an antiseptic solution to disinfect under the skin for 10 minutes. If despite the consultation and the eventual taking of antibiotics, the incarnated nail is still there, it may be necessary to consider the surgical act.