Raising Awareness about Ingrown Toenails

Abstract

Ingrown toenails represent a common yet preventable medical condition that can lead to significant pain, infection, and severe complications if ignored. This condition accounts for approximately 15% to 20% of all foot-related medical visits, highlighting its high prevalence among the general population. The pathological process typically advances through several distinct phases, beginning with the initial stage of nail ingrowth and progressing through stages of inflammation and suppuration before reaching a chronic stage process. Various risk factors contribute to this development, including improper nail trimming, toe injuries, fungal infections, sweaty feet, and the use of tight-fitting shoes.

Clinical intervention is strongly advised when patients observe increasing pain, swelling, pus, drainage, or spreading redness, particularly for those with underlying health concerns like diabetes or poor circulation. Effective management and prevention strategies involve both medical and surgical approaches, ranging from antibiotic therapy to procedures such as partial nail avulsion, partial matrixectomy, and total nail avulsion.