An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the skin of the toe. There may be pain, redness, and swelling around the nail.
Alternative Names:
Onychocryptosis; Unguis incarnatus
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
An ingrown toenail can result from curved toenails, poorly fitting shoes, toenails that are trimmed improperly, or a toe injury. The skin around the toenail may become red and infected. The great toe is usually affected, but any toenail can become ingrown.
The condition may become serious in people with diabetes.
Signs and tests:
A doctor's examination of the foot is sufficient to diagnose an ingrown toenail.
Review Date: 4/12/2007
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Foot and Ankle
