Ingrowing Toenail (onychocryptosis)

Diagnosis: Ingrowing Toenail (onychocryptosis)

The nail grows into the lateral nail fold causing trauma, inflammation and secondary infection.

Clinical Presentation

The nail grows into the lateral nail fold causing trauma, inflammation and secondary infection.

Clinical History

Submitted by Alaa Saad. Originally posted September 20, 2010.

Treatment

See case discussion.

Differential Diagnosis

• Paronychia • Subungual exostosis • Pyogenic granuloma (periungual) • Periungual fibroma

Key Learnings

• Lateral nail fold penetrated by nail plate edge → inflammation and granulation tissue • Most common on great toenails • Stages: I (erythema/edema), II (infection, granulation tissue), III (chronic hypertrophy) • Tight footwear and improper nail trimming are common causes • Partial nail avulsion with phenol matricectomy: 95% cure rate

Tags: ingrowing, toenail, onychocryptosis, alaa saad