Dermatology   [back to the Category]

Ingrown toenail   [read the french version]

Author :   Dr Michel F.Canesi

Ingrown toenail


The ingrown toenail is the result of a painful clash between the ungual plate and surrounding soft parts of the toe. This complaint is often due to an excessive curvature of the nail, the edges of the nail having been cut at too much of an angle, and pressure being exerted by shoes which are too narrow.

This complaint, with its many factors, is a common illness amongst sportsmen and women, especially dancers, but other sports are equally affected, in particular: football, rugby, tennis, marathon running, martial arts, judo, etc.

The edge of the nail embeds itself in the skin resulting in a serious irritation, sometimes with an overlying infection. The ingrown toenail can become so painful that the sportsman or woman is compelled to stop all sporting activities completely. This can be prevented by wearing shoes that fit properly and cutting toenails carefully. They should be cut straight across the top with the edges rounded.
There are several types of ingrown toenail. Treatment requires local, antiseptic applications. If this treatment is not adequate, surgery is essential.

Some chiropodists use "orthonyxies" (small springs which allow the nail to grow straight).

Bibliography:

Brun D - La pathologie dermatologique du sportif. Thèse, Nancy, 1995; p 19-41.

Cohen BA - Les pieds de l'athlète. Cutis 1977; 1 : 139-144.

B Daum*, A Barbaud **, JL Schmutz**
*CHU Brabois, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy ** CHU, Hôpital Fournier, Nancy Cedex BEDC January 1999