What Causes an Ingrown Nail?

An ingrown nail occurs when the corner or side of the fingernail curves downward and the nail begins to grow into the skin. Ingrown nails can become red, swollen, and painful. They may even get infected. This is a common problem, and it can be extremely unpleasant, particularly if you have an ingrown nail on a finger that you use often for tasks like typing.

Understanding what causes ingrown nails is the first step toward preventing them. In some cases, you can stop ingrown nails at the source. If you can’t prevent the ingrown nail entirely, you can help resolve the problem more quickly with a prompt diagnosis and early home remedies. 

Improper Nail Trimming

You should trim your nails straight across to keep them from becoming ingrown. If you must shape your nails, allow the nail to at least grow straight out until it’s past the folds of skin on either side of the finger. Beyond this point, it’s safer to shape your nails. Allow the nail to grow long enough to cover the tip of your finger. If you cut your nails too short, it’s easier for them to grow in the wrong direction or become infected.

Keep your fingernails clean and dry as much as possible. When you’re trimming your nails, take the time to gently clean beneath them as well. This will help clear out bacteria that can lurk there, waiting to cause an infection.

Nail Biting

Nail biting damages the shape and condition of the fingernails, increasing the likelihood of an ingrown nail. Your mouth may also carry bacteria that will increase the risk of infection should your nail become ingrown. People often bite their nails when they’re struggling with anxiety or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Addressing the underlying cause of your nail biting can help you understand how to quit. You can also try using bitter polish on your nails or wearing gloves to help you become more aware of your habit and make a mindful effort to stop it.

Finger Injury

If you’ve slammed your finger in a door or smashed it with a hammer, you may suffer more than just the initial pain. Certain finger injuries can temporarily change the shape of the nail and lead to an ingrown fingernail. If you’ve sustained this type of injury and suspect an ingrown nail is developing, start soaking the nail in warm water two or three times a day. This can help prevent an ingrown nail from forming.

Frequent Pressure

Ingrown nails are often related to the individual’s occupation. If you routinely engage in an activity that puts pressure on the nail, it’s more likely to curve unnaturally and become ingrown. For example, writing with a pen or pencil resting on or near the nail can reshape that nail and cause it to grow down into the skin. Typing, cutting vegetables, using certain hand tools, and sewing can also have this effect.

If you’re suffering from recurring ingrown nails in the same place, think about how you’re using your hands and see if you can identify the cause. Changing the way you work or using a more ergonomic tool may resolve the problem.

Fungal Infection

While a fungal infection often follows an ingrown nail, infection may also precede the problem. If you have any type of nail infection, you should speak with your doctor about the fastest treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a topical ointment or oral medication to resolve the infection. This can help you get rid of the infection before it leads to a more painful problem, like an ingrown nail.

Improperly Paced Growth

If your nails grow too fast or too slow, you’re at a higher risk for an ingrown nail. Fast nail growth is more likely in youth. Elderly adults usually experience slower nail growth, which can cause the same problem. This isn’t something that you can easily change, so you’ll simply need to stay more aware of nail care, cleaning, and maintenance to help prevent ingrown fingernails.

How To Treat an Ingrown Nail

Understanding what causes ingrown nails is just the first step to finding relief. As mentioned previously, soaking your hand in warm water several times a day for 10 to 20 minutes at a time will help soften the skin so the nail can work its way out. Try adding Epsom salts to the water for greater pain relief.

After a good soak, you should find it easier to gently lift the nail from its place in the skin. This will relieve pressure and encourage proper growth. Apply an anti-fungal or antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection. You can place a small piece of wet cotton or dental floss beneath the nail to keep it from sinking back into the skin. Wrap a bandage loosely around the nail to keep it clean. You can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.

If the above methods don’t resolve the ingrown nail, you may need to seek medical attention. You should see a doctor immediately if you have signs of a nail infection like:

• Fever or chills.
• Body aches.
• Red streaks on your skin.
• Pus or fluid leaking from the nail.
• Extreme pain from the ingrown nail.
• Redness and severe inflammation.

You should also speak with your doctor about an ingrown nail if you are immunocompromised or diabetic. Do not attempt any home treatment. These conditions can cause further complications with ingrown fingernails.

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Fingernails: Do's and Don'ts for healthy nails

Take a close look at your fingernails. Do they look strong and healthy? Or do you see ridges, dents, or color or shape changes? Fingernail care can help prevent many nail conditions. And sometimes fingernails give hints about an underlying health condition that needs care.

Fingernails: What's typical, what's not

Fingernails grow from the area at the base of the nail under the cuticle. Fingernails are made of layers of a protein called keratin. Healthy fingernails are smooth. They don't have pits or grooves. They're all one color and free of spots.

Sometimes fingernails get harmless ridges that run up and down, called vertical ridges, from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to show more with age. Fingernails also can develop white lines or spots due to injury. In time, these grow out with the nail.

Consult your primary healthcare professional or dermatologist if you notice:

• Changes in color, such as a color change to the whole nail or a dark streak under the nail.
• Changes in nail shape, such as curled nails.
• Nails that get thinner or thicker.
• Dents in the nails that look like small punctures, called pits, or grooves in the nails.
• The nail pulling away from the skin around it.
• Bleeding around the nails.
• Swelling or pain around the nails.
• Failure of nails to grow.

Fingernail care: Do's

To keep your fingernails looking their best:

• Keep fingernails dry and clean. This keeps germs from growing under your fingernails. Repeated or long contact with water can split fingernails. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when washing dishes, cleaning, or using harsh chemicals.
• Practice good nail hygiene. Use sharp manicure scissors or clippers to cut your nails. Trim them straight across. Then round the tips in a gentle curve.
• Use moisturizer. When you use hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles too.
• Apply a protective layer. Applying a nail hardener might help strengthen nails.

Ask your healthcare professional about biotin. Some research suggests that the nutritional supplement biotin might help strengthen weak or brittle nails.

Fingernail care: Don'ts

To prevent nail damage, don't:

• Bite your fingernails or pick at your cuticles. These habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut next to your fingernail can allow germs to enter and cause an infection.
• Pull off hangnails. You might rip live tissue along with the hangnail. Instead, gently clip hangnails off.
• Use harsh nail care products. Limit your use of nail polish remover. When using nail polish remover, choose one without acetone.
• Ignore problems. If you have a nail problem that doesn't seem to go away on its own or is linked to other symptoms, contact your primary healthcare professional or dermatologist.

A note about manicures and pedicures

If you rely on manicures or pedicures for healthy-looking nails, keep a few things in mind. Go to salons that show a current state license. Work only with technicians also licensed by the state board.

Don't let your cuticles be removed. They seal the skin to the nail plate. So removal can lead to nail infection. Also, make sure the tools your nail technician uses are sterile to prevent the spread of infection. Make sure you're not allergic to any of the ingredients in the products the salon uses.

You also might ask how the foot baths are cleaned. Ideally, the salon uses a disinfectant between clients and cleans the filters often.

It's easy to neglect your nails. But taking some basic steps can keep your fingernails healthy and strong.

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Managing Thick Toenails and Aging Nails

As circulation diminishes and nail growth alters with age, seniors often contend with thickened toenails. Managing this involves a few thoughtful steps:

• Soften the Nails: Begin by soaking the feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. This softens the nails, making them easier to trim. Adding Epsom salts can further enhance this softening effect.
• Use the Right Tools: A good pair of podiatrist-recommended nail clippers and a nail file are essential. Clippers should be robust and sharp enough to cut through thicker nails effortlessly.
• Trimming Technique: Trim nails straight across to prevent the painful condition of ingrown toenails. Afterwards, gently file down any sharp edges with a nail file to smooth them out.

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Avoid Cutting Cuticles: Safeguarding Against Infections

The cuticles play a crucial role in protecting the nail matrix from bacterial and fungal infections. In elderly individuals, the risk of infection is higher due to a weakened immune system, making the preservation of this natural barrier even more important. Instead of cutting the cuticles, which creates open wounds prone to infections, opt for a gentler approach:

• Softening the Cuticles: Start by applying a cuticle cream or soaking the hands in warm water. This softens the cuticles, making them more pliable and easier to manage.
• Gently Push Back Cuticles: Using a cuticle stick, carefully push back the softened cuticles. Be mindful to do this gently to avoid tearing the skin. A cuticle pusher with a soft, rounded edge is ideal for this task, as it minimizes the risk of puncturing the tender skin around the nail.
• Hydrate and Protect: After pushing back the cuticles, apply a nourishing oil or cream to hydrate and provide a layer of protection against dryness and cracking.

By adhering to these careful practices, you can help maintain the nail health of elderly individuals, ensuring not only the aesthetics of well-kept nails but also protecting their overall health by preventing potential infections and injuries. These acts of care, while seemingly small, contribute significantly to their comfort and well-being. Source

Aging Can Cause More Feet Issues

The natural aging process brings the gradual onset of certain health issues, and foot problems tend to be a common issue faced by many older adults. When you spend several decades putting pressure on your feet, they can eventually run into some problems due to a number of age-related factors. For example: 

• Skin on the feet usually loses elasticity, which can make skin issues more common.
• The fat pad on the bottom of the foot starts to thin, which can cause discomfort. This can also lead to an increased risk of foot conditions like plantar fasciitis.
• Joints, ligaments and tendons in the feet may start to degenerate, which can lead to issues like osteoarthritis and cause pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
• Older adults may be more likely to have a chronic health condition like diabetes, which can affect blood flow and nerve function in the feet. As a result, this can increase the risk of things like foot ulcers and infections.
• Aging can cause reduced circulation in the extremities, including the feet. This can negatively impact things like wound healing. 
• Many older adults have reduced mobility due to conditions like arthritis, which can cause changes in posture and gait. As a result, foot problems such as bunions and calluses can develop. 
• At any age, wearing improper footwear and neglecting foot and nail health can lead to foot issues, however the likelihood is higher when this has been the case over many years.
• Older adults tend to experience decreased pain sensation in their feet, which means detecting injuries like cuts or infections can be more difficult, leading to delays in treatment.

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The Power of a Top Coat

Once your colored polish is applied, a top coat seals the deal. Its benefits are equally vital:

• Extends Wear Time: This is perhaps the most well-known benefit. A top coat protects your manicure from chips, scratches, and everyday wear and tear, significantly extending its life.
• Adds Shine and Gloss: Most top coats impart a beautiful, high-shine finish, making your manicure look professional and polished. There are also matte top coats for a trendy, velvety look.
• Quickens Drying Time: Many modern top coats are "quick-dry" formulas, helping your manicure set faster and reducing the risk of smudges.
• Protects from Fading: A top coat acts as a shield against UV rays and other environmental factors that can dull or fade your nail polish color over time.
• Smoothes and Evens: It can help to smooth out any minor imperfections or streaks from your color application, giving a flawless finish.

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Importance Of A Base Coat

A base coat acts as a protective barrier between your natural nail and the colored polish. Here's why it's a non-negotiable step:

Prevents Staining: Darker pigments, especially reds, blues, and blacks, can easily stain your natural nails. A good base coat creates a clear layer that prevents this discoloration.

Improves Adhesion: Base coats are formulated to create a slightly tacky surface, allowing the nail polish to adhere better. This means less chipping and longer wear.

Smooths the Nail Surface: If your nails have ridges or imperfections, a ridge-filling base coat can create a smooth canvas for your polish, ensuring an even application.

Strengthens Nails: Many base coats are infused with strengthening ingredients like keratin or vitamins, helping to protect weak or brittle nails from breakage.

Enhances Color Payoff: A neutral base can help the true color of your polish pop, especially with sheer or lighter shades.

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