Infection caused by Ingrown Fingernail

Definition:

Ingrown nail occurs when the edges of the nail starts growing inside the skin like an embedded nail. Nail gets stuck into the skin which is surrounding the nail and cause problem like this. The nail starts growing deep into the skin causing severe infections and pain.

Symptoms:

Some of the symptoms of the ingrown fingernail are inflammation, redness and tenderness in the skin which is surrounding the nail. This is the indication of the ingrown fingernail. If this increases then infection starts up in the nail by forming puss and also discoloration of nails begin especially near the edges. In some peculiar cases smack of the nail can be seen under the skin.

Causes:

The main and most common cause for the ingrown fingernail is very poor maintenance or care for nails. Nail trimming to the shapes of curve, nail biting, leaving the sharp edges of the nail, deformed nails and long nails will cause this hitch. If the nail gets injured and takes too much of time to heal and gets out of shape then this tends to cause ingrown nails.

Treatment:

Treatment of this ingrown fingernail is very simple. Soak the fingers in warm water and leave it for 20-30mins. The nails get soften and thus it will be easy to cut them. The nail should be gently lifted away from the skin and using a clipper or nail file, the sides of nail should be trimmed. By doing this pressure on the skin gets reduced. Nail shouldn’t be cut too short and it should be neatly cleaned.

After cutting the nails it should be pat to dry with a clean soft cloth. Massaging the injured area with coconut or olive oil will relieve the pain. If there is a wound caused due to ingrown nails then it should be treated with antibiotics and if there is any swelling or pain then taking an anti-inflammatory will reduce the pain. After doing this, within 2 – 3days if the nail doesn’t improve then concerned doctor must be consulted.

Prevention:

As the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than Cure’, with proper caring of nails, this ingrown nails doesn’t appear. Trimming of nails should be proper which leads to fewer happenings of ingrown nails. Nails shouldn’t be bitten and it should be cut in a straight manner and never should it be left curved.