Patient/caregiver was educated on signs and symptoms of ingrown toenail as follows:
- Ingrown toenail is a condition in which the sharp edge or side of an improperly grown or inappropriately cut or trimmed toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe.
- The sharp nail growing into the flesh on the edge of the toe can exert pressure on the toe edge, thus injuring the toe. This can lead to inflammatory changes of the toe and in severe cases, even a toe infection. As a response to inflammation, chemicals will be released at the affected skin site.
- The inflammatory chemicals released sensitize the skin and contribute to pain and tenderness of the affected toe, erythema or redness of the site involved, local warmth or elevated temperature of the toe, and swelling.
- Advanced and untreated ingrown toenail can also lead to toe infection, which can result in signs and symptoms of infection, such as, fever and chills. Protective white blood cells accumulate at the involved skin area to fight against the infection. The protective white blood cells with the damaged skin cell debris form a thick, yellowish, foul-smelling fluid called pus.
- Ingrown toenail can occur in any toe, but most commonly involve the big toe and can be a recurring problem in individuals with history of poor compliance for toenail care.
