know the causes and know how to treat the problem

If you’ve ever suffered from an ingrown toenail, you know how painful and uncomfortable this condition can be. Also known as “onychocryptosis”, this problem occurs when the tissue on the side of the finger is disrupted due to the growth of the corner of the nail, which penetrates the flesh, causing inflammation, redness and pus, as well as pain and discomfort.

In an attempt to avoid the inconvenience, people often try to solve the problem at home, in a wrong and dangerous way. That’s why we spoke with podiatry, foot health and reflexology specialist Marta Botelho, who explained the signs and symptoms of the condition to treat it safely and effectively. Look!

What causes an ingrown toenail?

According to Marta Botelho, this condition can be caused by several factors, such as:

• Foot deformation;
• Excessive use of tight shoes;
• Genetics;
• Practice of some sports, such as running and football;
• Wrong or rounded cut;
• use of socks synthetic or tight.

Symptoms

As explained by the specialist in podiatry, the ingrown toenail can be acute or chronic, respectively, when there is an active infection and a more abundant inflammatory condition. Symptoms of the problem are easily observable and include the following conditions:

• Discomfort;
• Pain;
• Swelling;
• Redness;
• Bleeding;
• Pus in cases of inflammation.

Marta Botelho also points out that diabetic people should pay extra attention to the signs, as they run a greater risk of complications. “The diabetic needs to be more careful with the nails due to the condition that hinders the healing of wounds, they run the risk of having inflammations that do not close, leading to contamination by fungi and bacteria”, says the professional.

How to unlock the nail?

To remove the nail, you need to see a podiatrist, who can recommend cleaning with antiseptic solutions to reduce inflammation, as long as there are no major complications. If the condition worsens, it may be necessary to perform a surgical procedure in order to definitively solve the problem.

“Performed by specialized doctors, with local anesthesia, onychoplasty is the most common surgery, as many people arrive with years of inflammations repeated, which change the anatomy of the corner of the finger. [Para o procedimento], the diseased nail is partially or completely removed. the main cases [em que a cirurgia é recomendada] are the hypertrophy of the fingers and tumors”, explains the podiatrist.

consult an expert

If you suffer from an ingrown toenail, be sure to seek expert help, as treating the condition as soon as possible is essential to avoid complications. “If the area is not treated properly, it can progress to inflammation, infection, surgery and, in some cases, even amputation. Proper maintenance of the nails with the podiatrist avoids more serious stages of disease”, says podiatry specialist Marta Botelho.

Also, avoid trying to solve the problem at home. see a professional in podiatry so that proper precautions can be taken. Thus, it will be possible to resolve this condition in a safe and effective way, ensuring more comfort and well-being at your feet.

By Marcela Melo