Nails that grow into the sides of the nail bed are quite common and often cause trouble for many months and years. Most commonly, it affects the big toenails.
In certain families, a genetic predisposition can be observed, and even children and adolescents may show symptoms. Many people trim their nails incorrectly, meaning not straight across but rounded, causing the corners of the nail to disappear and the nail to grow deeper. Some individuals have had nail injuries that subsequently lead to ingrown nails.
Obesity in itself can cause significant pressure on the nails and toes and lead to problems. The same applies to wearing improper footwear.
The initial symptoms often include skin thickening on one or both sides of the nail. This is followed by redness, pain, and inflammation with pus.
It can be difficult to wear regular shoes. Running and other forms of exercise can be challenging or impossible.
In the early stages, foot baths or ointments for sores may be appropriate. Never use green soap in foot baths, as it only dries out and irritates the skin. Foot baths (with just water or a few drops of potassium permanganate) should be limited to a maximum of 5 minutes. Allow the nail to grow out without rounding the edges.
If symptoms worsen, it is advisable to seek a qualified foot therapist. They can place a spacer under the nail to alleviate irritation or attach a brace that lifts the side edges of the nail. If these measures do not help, the last resort is nail surgery. In this procedure, a portion of the nail edge is removed, and the nail matrix is destroyed using phenolization.
Complete removal of the nail is not advisable as it only leads to problems for several months, and the end result is often the same as before the operation.
