How Ingrown Toenails and Fungus Infections Exacerbate Each Other

Understanding the Connection Between Ingrown Toenails and Fungal Infections

Ingrown toenails afflict millions annually with their painful irritation. Fungus infections of the nail and toe also impact many as well. These two common podiatric conditions actually influence each other more than most realize.

An ingrown nail's disruption to normal growth patterns alters susceptibility to fungal introduction. Likewise, fungal presence deepens the risks linked with developing ingrown toenails. Learning their interrelationship shows why prompt treatment for both remains important.

Defining Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail's edge grows downward and cuts into the skin alongside it instead of rising away from the toe. Most frequently impacting the big toe, symptoms involve:

• Redness, swelling and infection around the nail
• Skin irritation or ulceration from the nail digging in
• Pain when pressure applied to the toe

If left untreated, the ingrown section can become seriously infected. Repeated ingrown toenails point toward underlying abnormalities of the nail or toe needing correction.

Classifying Fungal Infections

Fungi thrive in the warm, damp environment inside shoes and socks. Two main categories affect toenails:

• Distal Subungual - Invades nailbeds and lifts up thickened nails
• White Superficial - Surfaces on top of nails and appears powdery

Once settled underneath, the infection causes crumbling, distorted nail growth. Topical signs involve discolored yellow streaks or white spots. Brittleness, foul smells and debris under the nail also occur.

How Ingrown Toenails Lead to Higher Infection Risks

A normal toenail functions as a protective barrier, keeping foreign contaminants from entering follicles or nailbeds. But with ingrown nails, that defense comes under siege.

Direct Damage to Surrounding Skin

The jagged edge of an ingrown nail piercing into adjacent toe skin tears at the surface. The resulting wound weeps plasma and lymph fluid. This warm, nutrient-rich excretion becomes an ideal breeding ground for infecting fungus.

Access Points to Growing Nail

Open cuts alongside an ingrown nail give fungi direct access deeper inside the nail matrix and bed located under the skin. Once infections take hold there, stopping their progression requires medication reaching under the nail.

Altered Growth Patterns

Inflammation and swelling around an ingrown nail changes pressures on the sensitive nail matrix. This governs how the nail properly forms and extends outward as it grows. Disruption here explains nails emerging thin, brittle or distorted.

Fungal Infections Complicate Treating Ingrown Toenails

While deep-set fungal introduction threatens normal nail health, existing fungus also makes resolving ingrown toenails more involved. Some notable complications include:

Thicker Nails

Built-up debris under nails infected by fungus causes visibly thicker, tougher nails. These put greater pressures against adjacent skin that prompts additional ingrown risk through force exerted outwards.

Weaker Nail Structure

Fungal breakdown of rigid keratin proteins leaves nails more flexible and prone to distortion. This leads to irregular shapes, possible splitting and sharp points more likely to catch skin.

Camouflaged Damage

Discoloration or white spots on fungus ridden nails may conceal emerging ingrown status. Patient reported pain ends up the main symptom something’s not right. Catching new ingrown onset early remains key for simpler correction.

Available Treatments Addressing Connected Causes

Treating either troublesome toenail fungus or recurring ingrown nails means also getting their interrelated counterpart under control. Multi-angle approaches should combat both simultaneously.

Oral and Topical Anti-Fungal Prescriptions

Powerful prescription-only formulas applied directly to affected nails penetrate infections residing underneath and along nailbeds. Oral anti-fungal pills also work internally against perpetrators for severe cases.

Removal of Problematic Nail Sections

Trimming back or removing parts of a fungal distorted or ingrowing nail through minimally invasive podiatry allows fresh, healthy re-growth. This also removes infection sheltering hot spots.

Preventative Precautions

Barrier layers through specialized socks, sprays or toe creams shield against moisture that feeds fungus and irritation inflaming skin. Wider, round-toed shoes provide room allowing nails grow straighter too.

Treating associated causes unitedly remains imperative. If not, cyclical re-infection and recurrence handicaps long-term prognosis despite clearing up initial symptoms.

Outlook Moving Forward for Healthy Toes

Ingrown toenails undoubtedly complicate existing fungal infections while also growing vulnerable to new ones in return. It’s a two pronged podiatric problem.

Self-care tactics like tea tree oils or over-the-counter sprays rarely pack enough potency alone when complications merge. Lasting relief requires professional level treatment killing fungus present alongside ingrown relief measures for good.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.