Ingrown toenails are a common condition of infants, children, and young adults, but it is observed almost at any age. It is characterized by painful discomfort in affected individuals. Traditional methods and surgery are available which are carried out with expertise, are able to cure the disease. Packing, taping, gutter treatment, and nail braces are options for relatively mild cases whereas surgery is absolutely done by physicians. Their treatment is often frustrating for the patient as it may be associated with considerable and long-lasting morbidity and quite frequently with permanently distorted toes and nails. (1)
Can Nail Technicians Treat An Ingrown Toenail If There Is No Sign Of Pus Or Discharge?
Treating ingrown nail by nail technicians is virtually harmful. The ingrown nail must be treated out with expertise i.e. exclusively by physicians to cure the affected individuals. It has a potential risk as they lack medical knowledge. The most common form of ingrown nail is distal-lateral ingrowing. This causes a foreign body reaction with inflammation, granulation tissue, secondary bacterial colonization, and eventually infection. Most physicians call the condition ingrown or ingrowing nail (unguis incarnatus) since the nail plate is believed to be the cause. As it cannot be handled by a nail technician, hence, podologists and pedicurists who are all specialization in the doctor of podiatric medicine can treat these problems and diseases with conservative and surgical methods. (1)
There are three stages of the ingrown nail are distinguished. Stage one has inflammation, swelling, and pain. Stage 2 has inflammation, pain, nonhealing wound and oozing, and granulation tissue. Finally, Stage three has plus abscess formation and chronic induration of the lateral nail fold. The physician decides the treatment which depends widely on the degree of inflammation. (1)
Noninvasive treatments such as taping are the least aggressive method which uses tape to pull the nail fold away from the edge. But, it should be performed correctly because wet granulation in toenails can cause the tape not sticky. Wiping, drying and absorbing of humidity is essential and consistent good care is necessary to avoid infection.
Packing, dental floss, gutter treatment, nail braces, and powerful antibiotics: Some surgery techniques such as wedge excisions, amputation of the tip, matrix excision, electrocautery, and laser treatment has many complications which should be performed by surgeons and physicians.
Complications are frequent. There appears to be a risk of postoperative infection and many surgeons give peri- or postoperative antibiotics. Even fungal septicemia has been observed postoperatively. Toe necrosis was observed in most cases after ingrown nail surgery was due to a neglected tourniquet. (1)
Conclusion
Even though the ingrown nail is without pus or any infection, it should not be handled by the nail technician from salon. Possible risk of infection can occur which is called stage one infection i.e. inflammation, swelling, and pain. There are many areas to debate, but only podologists and pedicurists who are all having specialization in the doctor of podiatric medicine can treat these problems and diseases with conservative and surgical methods. Judging from the literature and own experience has less success rate.
Also Read:
