In-growing nail - World Class Holistic Homeopathy Treatment
NAILS- In-growing nail
The convex glossy nails – the ten commandments of hand or foot – usually
differ from one person to another in quality (i.e. in colour, shape,
smoothness, thickness, strength) & with growth against adjacent skin. The
continuous growth of nails usually leads the free border of the nail away from
the nail bed which supports the nail. But sometimes it may get struck to the
skin, due to the crumbling nature of nail or with the barrier of the skinfold
remaining in front of nail-free edge.
In-growing nails are medically termed as ‘onychocryptosis’. It is one of
commonest toe/foot complaints, but it can also occur on the fingers.
It is a painful condition due to the piercing nature of the nail edges against
the adjacent skin during growth. The growth of the nails usually depends on the
status of the health and care for it. Nail matrix is the most important part
determining the shape and thickness of the nail. The proper growth of nail is
guided by the nail bed and the adjacent skin. Nails tend to coil after you let
them grow long. This is due to loss of stability and support. But in case of
in-growing nails, occurrence of crumbling is due to hindrance in growth or
support or texture or disease.
Incidence
In-growing of nails can occur in any age group, but it is very rare in
children. The great toe is the commonest victim, but other toes/fingers can
also be affected at times (depending upon the trauma or diseases or nail care).
Mostly it occurs on one edge of the nail. But it can also occur on both sides
of the nail edges, when skin is the major causative factor.
Causes
may be with nail or protracting skin
fold. The most common causes are
·
Uneven trimming/cutting of nails or biting nails
·
Cutting nails deeply in a straight manner
·
Nail Injury ending in deformity of nails
·
Diseases of nails (fungal infection, rheumatoid arthritis
involving finger joints, etc., can cause crumbling or deformity of nail or nail
plate)
·
Excessive thickening of nail will drive its lower edge
inward (in psoriasis, lichen planus) causing in-growing nail
·
Wearing ill-fitting and tight shoes for a prolonged time
may restrict free nail growth and can cause in-growing nail
Symptoms
Not all in-grown nails cause pain and infection. But, starting with
discomfort, the excruciating pain and infection will often follow with the
growth of in-growing nail. The more the in-growing nail grows, the deeper it
pierces the skin, causing more pain and infection. The common symptoms of
in-growing nails are:
·
Very sensitive and painful nail edges
·
Throbbing or stabbing or pricking type of pain in
nail/tip of fingers
·
Red, swollen and inflamed skin, adjacent to in-growing
nail edges
·
Occasional discharge/oozing of fluid from inflamed part
with pus/blood
·
Brittleness or cracking or flaking of nails due
to bending of growing nail with hindrance.
Complications
of in-growing nails are usually an extremely
painful condition with sepsis and fever. It will often lead to emergency surgical
procedure of partial or total nail removal. Usually, complaints of in-growing
nails get aggravated by wearing ill fitting and tight shoes. Neglected or
left-over untreated in-grown nails can produce complications as follows:
·
Occurrence of nail bed infection & deformity of nail
·
Infection that can spread into the deep spaces of foot
·
Serious, life threatening circumstances can occur in
people who suffer from diabetes and circulatory disorders
Prevention and management
·
Proper cutting of the nails can surely avoid in-growing
nails and its recurrence.
·
Do not tamper skin, while cutting away the nails, since
this may cause thickening of skin as a barrier against growing nails.
·
Don’t trim nail very deeply, i.e. leave some free edges
over the end of the nail.
·
If it is very painful, in-growing edge of nail can be
excised after being softened with any softeners or moisturiser or by soaking in
water for a while.
·
Trim in-grown nail from edge-to-edge in semi-lunar manner
to avoid getting wound and infection or trim it straight and leave some free
edges over skin to keep nail free from skin penetration
·
Remove hanging nails, if any
·
Wear proper fitting shoes with comfortable toe room.
·
Prevent infection with anti-septic cream
General treatment
In-growing nails are usually a recurring problem causing repeated
infection. It will not resolve on its own as like other diseases that get
resolved after the development of natural resistance in due course of
suffering. So, treatment procedure is a must. In Allopathy, for in-growing
nails, the first and foremost measure or treatment is excising the piercing
edge or border of the nail, sometimes with partial or total nail removal. These
measures give only temporary relief, but still the advantage of immediate shut
down of pain is always admired. The next commonest prescription is anti-septic
cream to control infection.
Homeopathic approach
In-growing nail developed as/with a structural hindrance needs to be
manipulated surgically/locally, i.e. by shaping, cutting, filing, etc. The
truth is that, this type of manipulation can only provide temporary relief,
since the same complaint recur with the growth of the nail. With precautionary
measures (proper nail cut and nail care), Homeopathy can correct deformity of
nails (in shape and thickness), crumbling nails, etc., to normalcy by improving
the quality of nail and its growth. Homeopathy can prevent recurrence and raise
your thumb against diseases of the nail by encouraging the new formation of
perfect nails.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in case of in-growing nails are Acid
flour, Acid nit, Anti crud, Causticum, Graphites, Hepasulp, Mezereum,
Myristica, Silicea, etc. These Medicines should be taken under the advice and
diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.
for
new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob / Whatsapp)
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)