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WHAT ARE INGROWN NAILS?

An ingrown nail is the result of a nail growing into the skin that surrounds it.
This often occurs at either edge of the big toe. Ingrown nails may be caused by improper trimming, inherited nail deformities, injuries, finagle infections, or pressure.

Symptoms
Ingrown nails may cause pain at the tip of the
toe or all the way to the base of the toe. The pain
is often worse while walking. An ingrown nail may also lead to infection and inflammation. If it's infected, you might see pus or redness.

Treatment
If the nail is not infected,your podiatrist may trim the corner of it to help relieve your symptoms. For a partially ingrown nail, your podiatrist may need to remove one side of your nail back to the cuticle and treat the base of the nail. Severe infections or totally ingrown nails may require antibiotics and temporary or permanent removal of the entire nail. To lessen pain, a local anesthetic may be used in these procedures.

WHAT ARE THICKENED NAILS?

Abnormally thick or crumbling nails may be caused by injuries, pressure from shoes, fungal infections, or conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, or vascular disease. Eventually, the nail may loosen and fall off..

Symptoms
Along with thickening, the nail may appear
ridged, brittle, or yellowish. The nail may also
feel painful when pressure is put on it.

Treatment
If the nail isn't infected, your podiatrist may
be able to thin it by filling or grinding. If a
fungal infection is present, oral or topical
antifungal medications may be needed.
This can help prevent ulcerations under the
nail while keeping the fungus from spreading to other nails. If pain is extreme, the nail can be surgically removed.

WHAT ARE BLACK-AND-BLUE NAILS?

A black-and-nail is usually caused by sudden or repetitive injury to a toe. This might
occur during sports that involve running or stopping quickly, such as tennis or basketball.
The injury may also result from a heavy object falling on a toe.

Symptoms

The big toe is most often affected. Bruised, broken blood vessels cause the black-and-blue colors under the nail. If the condition is the result of a sudden injury, pain my be severe.

Treatment

If pain is severe, the nail may be removed, or a hole may be drilled in the nail to allow drainage, which relieves the pressure. A local anesthetic may be used. Pain may also be relieved with prescription medications, or by soaking or icing the area. If the pain is not severe, you may not need special treatment. The nail can be thinned or left alone to fall off. A new nail should grow to replace it.