Ingrown toenail is a disease that is seen with a frequency of 20% in the society and impairs the quality of life, and it is a problem that generally progresses with the development of pain, redness, tenderness, and discharge and granulation tissue in the big toe as a result of the nail fold turning into the soft tissue on both sides of the nail. It is often seen unilaterally or bilaterally in the big toe nails. That is, the nail sinks into the skin folds at the edges, causing inflammation and edema. Swelling, redness, temperature increase and pain occur around the nail. Some patients may develop a foul-smelling discharge due to infection. Over time, edema in the marginal tissues increases, covering the nail completely and causing more ingrowth of the nail. If an infection develops after this event, the complaints become increasingly unbearable.
What are the causes of ingrown nails?
The nail bed is narrow and the nail is large
Wearing narrow shoes
The nails are genetically thin and straight
Excessive weight gain
Toenails are cut short, rounded or narrowly “V” shaped (incorrectly cut)
If the tissue in front of the nail on the big toe is too much to prevent the nail from growing, it also causes ingrown nails. This is more common in weight gains.
Vitamin deficiency: Especially vitamin A deficiency.
**In a foot prone to ingrown nails, the pressure on the nail edge with these factors causes the nail to damage the skin. Then, with the addition of bacterial and fungal infections and the formation of granulation tissue, the typical ingrown nail appearance is completed. Granulation tissue is surrounded by epithelium. Thus, abscess drainage is prevented. The tissue gradually swells and becomes more easily injured against external influences. This vicious circle continues like this
