Toenail Pain [Toenail Fungus, Ingrown Toenails, Discolored Toenails]

What is onychocryptosis [Symptoms, Stages & BEST treatment]

Onychocryptosis can lead to an onychocryptosis infection. We review the onychocryptosis symptoms, stages & best onychocryptosis treatment!

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What is onychocryptosis:

  • Onych means “nail,” and “crypto” means ingrown toenails.
  • This is synonymous with an ingrown toenail.

Onychocryptosis definition:

The definition of onychocryptosis is:

  • Onychocryptosis means ingrown toenails, and this is synonymous with ingrown toenails.
  • The onychocryptosis appearance is similar to ingrown toenails with various stages.

Is onychocryptosis contagious?

  • In most cases, onychocryptosis is not contagious.
  • Onychomycosis can be contagious and can cause extensive foot pain.
  • This can lead to an ingrown toenail infection that can lead to pus and possible hospitalization.

Onychocryptosis stages:

The stages of onychocryptosis include:

  1. Normal toenail without being ingrown.
  2. Ingrown toenail without pain.
  3. Ingrown toenail with pain.
  4. Ingrown toenail with infection (Aka onychocryptosis infection)
Onychocryptosis stages & onychocryptosis paronychia

Onychomycosis definition & toenail fungus:

  • An ingrown toenail is also known as onychomycosis.
  • Onych means “nail,” and “myco” means fungus. 
  • Nail fungus is often painless, but the condition can make your nails thicken and become deformed and discolored.
  • The fungus is contagious and can spread to other nails and skin. It’s widespread, affecting 14% to 18% of the general population and 48% seniors.

See the causes See the long-term complications See how to relieve yourself at home.

Onychocryptosis symptoms:

Advanced cases of onychocryptosis are easy to identify through a visual assessment.

These signs are caused by the toenail growing into the skin and become infected.

Onychomycosis infection vs. Onychocryptosis infection:

Onychomycosis infection:

Initially, the tip of the nail becomes unattached. As the infection gets worse, the signs become more apparent:

  • increased nail detachment
  • thickening 
  • discoloration (white, yellow, brown, and/or black) 
  • brittleness (broken nails)
  • debris accumulation under nails
  • unpleasant odor
  • skin changes on the affected foot
  • Nail fungus is often painless, but patients may feel discomfort due to nail deformity (thickening, curving) 
  • The most frequent concern is an embarrassment. Patients with nail fungus don’t feel comfortable showing their feet in public.

Onychocryptosis infection:

An onychocryptosis infection can be very different from an onychomycosis infection. Onychocryptosis can cause extensive pain and possible hospitalization.

  • One side or both sides are very sore and irritated.
  • It does not have to be thickened.
  • There does not have to be discoloration, but the skin can usually be very red.
  • The toenail does not have to be brittle.
  • There is not always debris accumulated underneath the skin.
  • There is usually not odor.
  • There are usually skin changes in terms of being red and sorer.
  • Onychomycosis is usually painless, but onychocryptosis is usually associated with pain.
toenail fungus onychomycosis toenail infection

Onychocryptosis antibiotic treatment:

We always recommend calling your podiatrist if you have early signs of onychocryptosis or an ingrown toenail.

  • When we treat ingrown toenails, we will usually take a swab of the tissue to ensure no infection is appreciated.
  • If there is an infection, we run a test called culture and sensitivity.
  • This will show us if there is an onychocryptosis infection to pursue the proper onychocryptosis antibiotic treatment.

 

Onychocryptosis treatment:

There are 3 stages of onychocryptosis treatment that your podiatrist can pursue with you.

Stage 1 onychocryptosis treatment: No infection.

Trimming the toenail with the possible use of local anesthetic.

  • For a slightly ingrown nail (redness and pain but no pus), your doctor may carefully trim the ingrowing nail edge and cut it out with specialized instruments.
  • This can be helped with local anesthesia, just like a dentist would numb a tooth. This is usually not as bad as it sounds (per the average patients’ opinion!)
  • In most cases, people can get back to work or on their feet very quickly and with less pain than they came in with (Although this is not a guarantee for everyone).
  • This procedure separates the nail from the overlying skin and helps the nail grow above the skin edge. At home, you may soak the toe.

Stage 2 onychocryptosis treatment: Pain or infection.

Partial Onychocryptosis toenail removal surgery.

  • For a more severe ingrown toenail and onychocryptosis (redness, pain, and pus), your podiatrist may trim or remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
  • During this procedure, the podiatrist will trim the onychocryptosis to the root of the toenail.
  • This would be especially if there is onychocryptosis with paronychia.

Stage 3 onychocryptosis treatment: Recurrent pain or infection.

Permanent onychocryptosis removal surgery:

  • If you have the same onychocryptosis ingrown toenail pain repeatedly on the same toe, your podiatrist will likely suggest a permanent ingrown toenail procedure.
  • This means using medication at the root of the toenail to prevent the corner from ever growing back. Your podiatrist may use a laser or a chemical to accomplish this goal.

Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis) Treatment & Cure Options:

Superficial white onychomycosis toe nail fungus treatment

Frequently Asked Questions:

Onychocryptosis surgery:

Trimming the toenail with the possible use of local anesthetic.

  • For a slightly ingrown nail (redness and pain but no pus), your doctor may carefully lift the ingrowing nail edge and trim it with specialized instruments.
  • This can be helped with local anesthesia, just like a dentist would numb a tooth.
  • In most cases, people can get back to work or on their feet very quickly and with less pain than they came in with.
  • This separates the nail from the overlying skin and helps the nail grow above the skin edge. At home, you may soak the toe.

Partial Onychocryptosis toenail removal surgery.

  • For a more severe ingrown toenail and onychocryptosis (redness, pain, and pus), your podiatrist may trim or remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
  • During this procedure, the podiatrist will trim the onychocryptosis to the root of the toenail.
  • This would be especially if there is onychocryptosis with paronychia.

Permanent onychocryptosis removal surgery:

  • If you have the same onychocryptosis ingrown toenail problem repeatedly on the same toe, your podiatrist will likely suggest a permanent ingrown toenail procedure.
  • This means using medication at the root of the toenail to prevent the corner from ever growing back. Your podiatrist may use a laser or a chemical to accomplish this goal.

 

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