Ingrowing toenail

Last evidence check May 2010

Principal author: Nigel Roberts

Most patients present with pain, swelling and difficulty with shoewear. All patients should be asked about possible underlying causes of chronic infection, such as diabetes and steroid use.

The foot should be examined for mechanical factors which might precipitate nail pressure or infection. Inspect the shoes – they may be the main source of pressure. Look for tenderness in the pulp or proximally, which may indicate osteomyelitis.

Differential diagnosis includes subungual exostosis, primary osteomyelitis of the phalanx and tumours of the nail bed, including subungual melanoma.

igtn1

An ingrown nail affecting the fibular sulcus of the left hallux

igtn2

A longstanding presentation affecting both sulci of both hallux nails

subungual exostosis

Subungual exostosis

melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma


 

Classification

There is no consensus on the classification of the lesion at presentation. The most frequent classification quoted in the literature is that first proposed by Heifetz (1937) and subsequently used by Mogensen (1971).

Infection and suppuration is more marked in grade 3. Untreated ingrown toenails can have serious and limb threatening consequences. Cox and Jones (1995) reported development of osteomyelitis as a consequence of chronic ingrown toenails. Tumours, primary or metastatic, can mimic the presentation of an ingrown toenail (Goldenhersh 1992, Requena 1993, Lemont 2002).