The injury can be caused by overaggressive manicuring (especially cutting or tearing the cuticle, which is the rim of paper-thin skin that outlines the outer margins of your nail). An acute paronychia typically is caused by an infection with bacteria that invade the skin where it was injured. There are two different types of paronychia, acute and chronic:Īcute paronychia - This usually appears as a sudden, very painful area of swelling, warmth and redness around a fingernail or toenail, usually after an injury to the area. Last updated on May 3, 2021.Ī paronychia is an infection of the skin that surrounds a toenail or fingernail. Use these tips to treat an ingrown toenail, and head to a podiatrist at the first sign of infection.Medically reviewed by. If you spot an ingrown toenail, act fast to prevent an infection. People with diabetes should carefully examine their feet regularly, and should always see a doctor about an ingrown toenail. "Once you start digging down the sides you're probably going to get an infection," says Mauser. Buying properly fitting footwear (it shouldn't squeeze the toes) and cutting your toenails correctly (not too short and in a straight line across), are two easiest methods.
There are numerous ways to prevent toenails from curving over and digging into the skin of your toe. Prevention is often your best method for controlling the pain of ingrown toenails. "It's a small surgical procedure where you permanently remove the ingrown corner of the nail. "If it's a problem, if it's recurrent, you should see a podiatrist who can fix the problem," says Mauser. Ingrown toenails are often a recurring problem. See a podiatrist if you see signs of infection, or if your ingrown toenail keeps coming back.Check every day for signs and symptoms like redness, increased pain, swelling, and drainage of pus. Inspect your toe carefully for signs of infection.Avoid shoes that pinch the toes or place pressure on the ingrown toenail. Shoes made of soft fabrics with a wide toe are a good choice - try wearing sandals if you can. Choose shoes that are easy on your toes.Cover the sore toe with a Band-Aid or other bandage to offer a little extra padding and protection.Rub your toe with antibiotic ointment to help reduce your chance of developing an infection.You can soak the cotton in a bit of water or an antiseptic cleanser first. Stuff tiny pieces of clean, moist cotton between the ingrown toenail and the skin to help separate them and provide a little cushioning to the skin.Gently pull the skin away from the nail using a small nail file or other blunt device that won't cut or hurt the toe.Take an over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.Keep your foot dry except when soaking.Dry your foot completely after each soak. This soak can help relieve pain and swelling in an ingrown toenail. Allow your sore toe to soak in a warm salt water bath for 15 minutes a couple of times every day.