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Ingrown Fingernail Infection

Although an ingrown toenail is a more common problem, an ingrown fingernail is not an unheard of condition. An ingrown fingernail can occur after poor nail care or an accident. Some people may only experience an ingrown fingernail once in their lives while others may be plagued by the problem on a regular basis. Luckily, an ingrown fingernail is easily treated at home and, with the proper preventive measures, could become a thing of the past.

  1. Definition

    • An ingrown fingernail occurs when the edge of the nail becomes embedded in the surrounding skin. The nail begins to grown down into and under the skin causing severe pain and possible infection.

    Symptoms

    • Redness, swelling and tenderness in the skin surrounding your fingernail indicate an ingrown nail. If the nail becomes infected, pus and discoloration may appear around the edges of the nail. In some cases, you can see the bump of the nail under the skin.

    Causes

    • The most common cause of an ingrown fingernail is poor nail care. Nail biting, trimming nails into curved shapes or leaving sharp edges, long nails or deformed nails will contribute to ingrown nails. An injury to the nail can also heal poorly and out of shape causing the nail to become ingrown.

    Treatment

    • To treat the ingrown nail, soak the injured hand in a bath of warm water with baking soda and salt. Epsom salts are very useful as well. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes. The goal is to soften the skin around the injured nail. Gently lift the nail away from the skin and trim the extra area with a nail file or clipper. This will help relieve pressure on the skin from the nail and encourage the nail to grow away from the skin. Cut a clean line and do not cut the nail too short as this can only exacerbate the problem. Once the nail is cut, pat the area dry with a clean towel and massage the injured finger with olive or coconut oil. The oil acts as a pain reliever. Treat the wound with antibiotics and take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication for pain. If your nail does not improve within two to three days or shows signs of infection, contact your doctor.

    Prevention

    • Proper trimming of nails will reduce the occurrence of ingrown fingernails. Do not bite your nails as this can leave sharp and irregular edges. Always cut your nails straight across, never in a curved shape.

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