How to deal with ingrown toenails
Disease description:
I've developed an ingrown toenail, which is really affecting my ability to walk. I'd like to get it treated—how should I deal with an ingrown toenail?
The treatment and management of ingrown toenails mainly include the following aspects:
1. General treatment: Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes and prolonged standing or physical activity to reduce pressure on the toenails. When trimming nails, maintain an appropriate length and avoid cutting them too short or excessively trimming the sides, which may worsen the ingrown condition.
2. Medication: For mild cases of ingrown toenails, soaking the affected area in povidone-iodine solution or active iodine solution 3–4 times daily for 20 minutes each time can help disinfect and kill bacteria. Additionally, topical application of antibiotic ointments such as erythromycin ointment or mupirocin ointment may be used to prevent infection.
3. Surgical treatment: For severe cases or when conservative treatments fail, surgical intervention may be necessary. Common procedures include nail plate avulsion and partial matrixectomy, which should be performed under the guidance of a qualified physician.
Treatment of ingrown toenails should be tailored according to the severity of the condition. Attention to daily care and preventive measures is essential to reduce both the occurrence and recurrence of ingrown toenails.