Ingrowing toenails
Ingrowing toenails usually affect the big toes and are caused by the nail growing into the flesh of the toe (and so called in growing). This happens because the nail has been cut too short at the corners, and the shoes are too tight so that the toes are squashed together. The nail in the flesh causes the flesh to overgrow (called proud flesh) and it may become infected. Infection needs to be treated. It may be possible to persuade the nail to grow out over the flesh by using cotton-wool padding underneath it, but resection of the nail, or part of it, may be necessary. Toenails should be cut so that the corners overlie the flesh, and shoes should not be tight.
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