Ingrown Nails

Recently Answered

• QAre there alternative treatments for ingrown nails?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Your doctor or dermatologist can recommend the best course of treatment for an ingrown toenail. He or she may recommend that you treat ingrown toenails with at-home remedies or may advise prescription treatment. In severe cases and/or in the event of infection, surgery may be required. Ask your doctor or dermatologist for more information.
  
  Ingrown toenails, common in both children and adults, are often brought on by poorly fitting shoes, incorrectly trimmed nails, or injuries. Though an ingrown toenail may be quite painful it can usually be treated easily, especially if you catch it early, before infection sets in.    
• QHow do I treat common toenail problems like ingrown nails and infections?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Toenail problems can be caused by a number of conditions, so it's best to talk with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Some conditions, such as mild cases of ingrown toenails or nail fungus, can be treated at home. Others, such as nail psoriasis or more serious infections, may require prescription medication. And still others could be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition that needs treatment.
  
  If your toenail health concerns you, speak with your doctor. Experts say you should talk to your doctor if you notice any of these changes in your nails:
  

  • horizontal ridges
  • clubbing (the nail seems higher than the nail bed and may round out above the cuticle and curve downward toward the tip)
  • dark streaks
  • yellow or blue discoloration
  • white lines
  • white underneath the nail
  • pitting (holes or depressions)
  • white spots
  • curled nails
  • separation from the skin beneath the nail
• QHow is an ingrown fingernail treated?

  1 Answer

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  A National Athletic Trainers' Association answered

  Treatment of an ingrown fingernail depends upon how severe it is. Conservative treatments of mild to moderate cases include warm water and soap, antibacterial ointments, cutting part of the nail if able, or using an item such as dental floss to provide a tract along which the nail can grow. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove part or the entire nail.
  (This answer provided for NATA by the Eastern University Athletic Training Education Program.)