What should I do if my nails grow into my flesh?
Nails that grow into the flesh, medically known as ingrown toenails, are a common foot problem, especially on the toes. Ingrown toenails not only cause pain but can also lead to infection. In the past 10 days, hot topics about ingrown toenails on the Internet have mainly focused on treatment methods, preventive measures and home care. This article will combine these hot topics to provide you with detailed solutions.
1. Common causes of ingrown toenails

The occurrence of ingrown toenails is usually related to the following factors:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Improperly trimmed nails | Cutting nails too short or cutting the edges into a round shape can easily cause the nails to grow into the flesh. |
| Shoes that are too tight | Shoes that are too tight can put pressure on your toes, especially high heels or pointy-toe shoes. |
| genetic factors | Some people have naturally curved nails and are more prone to ingrown toenails. |
| Trauma or sports injury | Ingrown toenails can result from stubbing a toe or exercising for long periods of time, such as running. |
2. Symptoms of ingrown toenails
Typical symptoms of ingrown toenails include:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| pain | The edge of the nail digs into the skin, causing localized pain, especially when touching or wearing shoes. |
| Redness and swelling | The surrounding skin becomes red and swollen, and may suppurate in severe cases. |
| infection | Yellow or white discharge with an odor may appear after bacterial infection. |
3. Treatment methods for ingrown toenails
Depending on the severity of the ingrown toenail, the following treatments may be available:
| Treatment | Applicable situations | Operation steps |
|---|---|---|
| home care | Mild ingrown toenail, no infection | 1. Soak your feet in warm water to soften the nail; 2. Gently lift the ingrown toenail with a sterilized tool; 3. Insert a sterilized cotton ball to isolate the nail from the skin. |
| drug treatment | with mild infection | 1. Use antibiotic ointment (such as mupirocin); 2. Take oral anti-inflammatory drugs (doctor's guidance is required). |
| surgical treatment | recurring or severe infections | 1. Partial nail removal; 2. Nail bed destruction (to prevent recurrence). |
4. How to prevent ingrown toenails
The key to preventing ingrown toenails is proper nail care and choosing the right shoes:
| Precautions | Specific methods |
|---|---|
| Trim your nails correctly | Cut your nails into a straight shape and avoid short or rounded corners. |
| wear loose shoes | Choose shoes that are breathable and have a loose toe box to reduce pressure on your toes. |
| Maintain foot hygiene | Wash and dry your feet every day to avoid fungal infections. |
| avoid trauma | Pay attention to protect your toes when exercising to avoid impact. |
5. Recent popular questions and answers
In the past 10 days, popular questions about ingrown toenails have mainly focused on the following aspects:
| question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can ingrown toenails heal on their own? | Mild ingrown toenails may heal on their own with proper care, but severe or infected ingrown toenails may require medical attention. |
| How long does it take to recover after ingrown toenail surgery? | Wounds usually heal in 1-2 weeks, but full recovery takes about 1 month. |
| How to treat ingrown toenails in children? | It is recommended to seek medical treatment to avoid infection caused by self-handling. |
6. Summary
Although ingrown toenails are common, their occurrence or recurrence can be effectively avoided with proper care and preventive measures. You can try home care for mild ingrown toenails, but if symptoms worsen or infection occurs, you should seek medical attention promptly. The recent hot content on the Internet also reminds us that the problem of ingrown toenails cannot be ignored, especially for people who often wear high heels or exercise a lot.
If you are suffering from ingrown toenails, it is recommended to take action as soon as possible to avoid worsening of the problem. I hope this article’s structured data and practical advice help you!
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