Does your nail also hurt when it grows into the skin? Let's find out exactly what an ingrown toenail is!

Hello! How are you? Today we are going to talk about a small but somewhat annoying problem that bothers many people, and maybe even you. That is, the nail of the toe, especially the nail of the big toe, grows into the skin. We medically call this `( Ingrown Toenail )`. Sometimes this only causes a little pain, but sometimes the pain can be so severe that you can't even walk, it can swell, and even cause pus. So, let's see what exactly this `( Ingrown Toenail )` is, why it happens, and how to avoid it, or what to do if it happens.

What does it mean when a nail goes into the skin? Let's understand exactly!

Simply put, an ingrown toenail means that one side, or sometimes both sides, of your toenail grows into the skin on the other side of the nail. Imagine that instead of the nail extending straight ahead, one corner or side of it curves down into the skin.

This often happens to the big toe . It can also happen to other toes, but it is most common in the big toe. When this happens, the area will first start to hurt and turn red. Then it may swell a little. The most dangerous thing is that germs like bacteria that are on our feet and shoes can enter through this injured skin and cause an infection . That's when the situation gets worse.

Why do our nails grow into our skin like this? What are the reasons?

A nail doesn't just go into the skin. There are several reasons for this. Let's talk about them separately.

1. Cutting nails incorrectly – this is the main reason!

The main and most common reason why many people develop ``Ingrown Toenails'' is the wrong way to cut their nails .

• Cutting your nails too short: When you cut your nails too short, that is, too close to the skin, the skin on either side of the nail can come up over the corners of the nail and cover them. Think of it as the skin just coming up and climbing over the nail. Then, when the nail starts to grow back a little bit, the nail starts to grow under that skin, that is, inside the skin . It's like something went wrong.
• Rounding or tearing nails: Some people cut their nails too short, thinking they want them to look nice. Or they just cut them off by hand instead of using a nail clipper. This leaves the nail without a clear, straight edge. Then, as the nail grows, the new, sharp edge can dig into the skin and get stuck. It's always best to cut your nails straight across, with the corners rounded off just a little.

2. Your shoes don't fit properly?

The shoes we wear also have a big impact on this.

• Tight shoes: When you wear shoes that are too tight and tight on your feet, the shoe pushes the skin of your toes up and pushes the nail up. Then the nail doesn't have room to grow freely, and it can push against the skin and go in. This risk is especially high when you wear shoes that are narrow and pointed at the front for fashion reasons.
• Short shoes: Sometimes, especially for young children, shoes are made a little too short, but they are said to be “still good for a while.” When you wear shoes that short, your toes can push forward, causing your nails to dig into your skin and then grow inside. When buying shoes, you should check to see if there is enough room in the front for your toes to wiggle freely.

3. Toe Injuries

Sometimes this condition can also occur due to a severe injury to a toe.

• Imagine that you hit your big toe hard somewhere, or something heavy falls on it and the nail comes off. When that happens, the new nail that grows can sometimes not grow straight, and start growing into the skin as if on the wrong path. When there is an injury, you need to be a little careful until the new nail grows.

4. Repeated Activity

This may seem like a surprising reason, but it's true. When you do the same activity over and over again, the same amount of pressure is always applied to your toes.

• For example, when a soccer player keeps kicking the ball with the same foot, the toes of that foot, especially the big toe, are constantly being pushed. This constant pressure can also cause the nail to go into the skin. This can sometimes happen to runners and dancers.

Simply put, anything that blocks the nail from growing freely and straight forward can cause an ingrown toenail.

How do you know for sure if a nail has gone into the skin?

Now let's see what are the signs that can help you identify if you have an ``Ingrown Toenail''. These usually appear gradually.

• Pain: This is the first thing you feel. You may start to feel pain where the nail enters the skin, when you press on your finger, when you put on your shoes, or when you walk. Sometimes it can even feel like a needle is poking through your skin.
• Swelling: The skin around the ingrown toenail will start to swell slightly. When viewed in comparison to the other toes, that area of ​​the toe will appear slightly larger.
• Pink or red skin: The skin in the painful or swollen area turns pink or dark red. This means that there is inflammation there.
• Pain when touched: You may feel pain even when you just touch your hand.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, you may have an ``Ingrown Toenail''.

What happens if an infection goes inside the nail? Is this dangerous?

Here's something to be careful about . When the nail goes into the skin, it looks like a small wound. So, germs like bacteria that are normally present on our feet, or that grow in the moisture inside shoes and socks, can easily enter the body through that wound . If that happens, we call it an infection, that is, an ``Infection''.

If an infection occurs, the previous symptoms will become worse.

• The pain is getting worse: The pain may be more severe and intense than before. You may feel the pain even when you are just standing still.
• Liquid orPus : A yellow, white, or sometimes greenish fluid or pus begins to ooze from the nail bed. This is a major sign of infection.
• Feeling of warmth in the finger: When you touch the infected finger, it may feel warmer or more tender than the other fingers.
• Bad odor coming from the finger: Sometimes, if the infection is severe, the finger may emit a bad, unpleasant odor.

If you have symptoms of this type of infection, such as severe pain, pus, or a burning sensation in your finger, you should definitely see a doctor instead of trying to treat it at home . If not treated properly, the infection can spread and cause more problems.

So, what to do if you get this `(Ingrown Toenail)` problem? Here are some important points!

Okay, now we know a lot about this problem called `(Ingrown Toenail)`. The most important thing is to try to prevent it before it occurs and to manage it properly as soon as possible if it does occur.

• Cut your nails properly:
• When cutting your nails , don't cut them too short . Cut them so that you leave a little bit of the white part at the top of the nail.
• Cut your nails straight across . Don't make the corners too round. If necessary, use a nail file to smooth out the sharp corners.
• Use a nail clipper. Don't try to cut it by hand.
• Choose shoes that fit you perfectly:
• Don't wear tight shoes . Choose shoes that are wide in the front and allow your toes to wiggle freely.
• Don't let shoes get too small . Always check the size of children's shoes, especially if they are the right size.
• Whenever possible, like when you're at home, go shoeless.
• Keep your feet clean: Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water every day, and dry them. If you wear socks, wear clean, dry socks.
• Take care not to injure your fingers: work and walk carefully.
• Take action at the earliest opportunity:Be careful as soon as you notice a small wound or redness, as if the nail is going into the skin. Sometimes, soaking your foot in warm salt water can provide some relief. However, if the pain is severe, the swelling, or the redness does not subside within two to three days, you should definitely seek medical advice.

Don't forget! If you have a medical condition like Diabetes Mellitus, or a condition that reduces blood supply to your feet, even a minor problem with a nail can be very serious. Therefore, if you see even a small sign of an ``Ingrown Toenail'', you should see a doctor immediately.

So, I hope you have got answers to many of your questions about `(Ingrown Toenail)` today. This may seem like a small thing, but it can become a big problem if not taken care of properly. So, keep these points in mind and take care of your feet!