It also includes several toenail problems that are specific to females.
Ingrown Toenail Symptoms
An ingrown toenail causes pain and swelling at the side of the toe.
The first step forat-home careis to soak your foot in an Epsom salt solution using room-temperature water.
Ilia Anatolev / Getty Images
Then massage the side of your nail gently to decrease inflammation.
Be sure to not cut your toenail.
Consider wearing open shoes like sandals until the problem resolves.
daizuoxin / Getty Images
They may be too tight.
The health of your feet, not fashion, should guide your shopping.
An infected ingrown toenail will typically clear up withantibiotics.
Photosvit / Getty Images
In some cases, an ingrown toenail may require a simple surgery known as a partial nail avulsion.
The simple, in-office procedure removes part of the nail plate.
First, your healthcare provider will inject a local anesthetic into the toe.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Once the area is completely numb, the ingrown part of the nail is removed.
In fact, people who are prone to athlete’s foot may also be susceptible to toenail fungal infections.
This can relieve pain from the thick nail pressing against your shoes.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Debridement may also make topical treatments more effective.
However, oral antifungal medicines aren’t always a good choice due to their potential side effects and cost.
you’re free to buy a lot ofover-the-counter (OTC) treatments for toenail fungus.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonen dermnetnz.org 2023
This is especially true if it has spread significantly throughout the nail.
A protein calledkeratinmakes them so strong.
This can cause dark discoloration of the toenail.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Dr Richard Ashton dermnetnz.org 2023
Symptoms include:
Sometimes, a healthcare provider will drill a hole in or surgically remove a damaged toenail.
This is done to relieve pressure from swelling.
When the new nail grows in, it probably will be thickened or disfigured due to the damaged matrix.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Be especially cautious about toenail injuries if you have diabetes, a weak immune system, orperipheral artery disease.
Leaving it untreated can lead to infections and other serious problems.
Clubbed Nails
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonen dermnetnz.org 2023
Clubbed nails are not a standalone disease, and they are rarely idiopathic (without an underlying cause).
Clubbed nails are almost always a sign of an underlying illness.
But they can also develop within a few weeks.
Fortunately, clubbed nails tend to resolve quickly once the underlying condition is addressed.
Or, if the cause is celiac disease, the clubbed nails should reverse once agluten-free dietis started.
However, there may be other symptoms present that are related to the underlying cause.
Potential causes of melanonychia include:
Treating Melanonychia
There is no specific treatment for melanonychia itself.
Treating Nail-Patella Syndrome
There is no cure for nail-patella syndrome.
Treatment involves detecting symptoms early and managing them individually.
Most of the time, though, it is not something to be alarmed about.
In fact, the discoloration is often so minimal that the leukonychia goes unnoticed.
It is not a standalone condition, but rather a sign that an underlying condition is present.
Once that is addressed, leukonychia should resolve on its own.
Also, the end of the nail may become course or bend over.Onycholysis may also cause throbbing pain.
Causes of Onycholysis
The most common cause of onycholysis is trauma.
An acute trauma, such as an object falling on the nail can lead to onycholysis.
Chronic trauma, like repeatedly tapping your nails against a hard surface, can also cause it.
If an underlying condition is involved, the nail separation should stop occurring once the underlying condition is addressed.
What Are the Most Common Toenail Issues Affecting Females?
Furthermore, acrylic nails reduce the nail’s natural ability to evaporate water from the nail.
This leads to excessive moisture beneath the nail, which increases the risk of onycholysis.
Brittle Nails
Brittle nailsare a common nail problem in females, particularly over 50 years of age.
It can also lead the nail to catch on clothes, bed sheets, and other objects.
The big toe is especially prone to developing an ingrown toenail.
Paronychia can cause painful swelling of the skin surrounding the toenail and increases the risk of nail infection.
Depending on the symptoms you describe, your provider may suggest an in-person visit to evaluate your symptoms.
If you are experiencing any new or unsettling symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider.
Each one can be traced to various causes, which in turn leads to varying treatment options.
You may be able to treat your toenail problem at home.
However, certain problems warrant medical attention.
You may need oral medication or a procedure like a debridement or toenail removal.
Some evidence suggests that certain people may have a genetic predisposition to nail fungal infections.
Ghannoum M, Isham N.Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): a never-ending story?.PLoS Pathog.
2014;10(6):e1004105.
doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004105
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ingrown toenail.
2022;15(4):34154. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_81_21
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Fungus infections: Preventing recurrence.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of melanoma skin cancer.
Kaiser Permanente.Torn or detached nail.
Mount Sinai.Clubbing of the fingers or toes.
Singal A, Bisherwal K.Melanonychia: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Indian Dermatol Online J.
2020 Feb;11(1):1-11. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_167_19
NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Nail-patella syndrome.
OMIM.LIM homeobox transcription factor 1, BETA; LMX1B.
2022 Feb;23(2):177-193. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00671-6
Harvard Health Publishing.Onycholysis.
Reinecke J, Hinshaw M.Nail health in women.Int J Women Dermatol.
2021 Jan;313(9):799-803. doi:10.1007/s00403-020-02177-9
New Zealand Trust: DermNetNZ.Subungual haemorrhage.
Westerberg DP, Voyack MJ.Onychomycosis: current trends in diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.
2013;88(11):762-70.
