Ingrown Toenail Management Flashcards

The medical term for an ingrown toenail is:

Answer: Onychocryptosis

Onychocryptosis describes the condition where the nail plate edge penetrates the lateral nail fold, causing pain, inflammation, and potential infection.

Which nail-cutting technique most commonly causes ingrown toenails?

Answer: Cutting the corners too short or rounding the nail edges

Cutting the corners too short removes the nail's structural support from the groove, allowing the nail edge to grow downward into the periungual tissue.

Stage 2 ingrown toenail is characterized by:

Answer: Infection with purulent drainage and granulation tissue formation

Stage 2 (Mozena/Heifetz classification) involves active infection with pus, significant swelling, and hypergranulation tissue forming at the nail fold.

Conservative management of a Stage 1 ingrown toenail may include:

Answer: Cotton wool packing under the nail edge and warm saline soaks

Stage 1 (early, non-infected) ingrown toenails can be managed conservatively by inserting cotton or foam under the lateral nail edge to redirect growth away from the fold.

Which patient population requires the most cautious approach when performing nail edge elevation for an ingrown toenail?

Answer: Diabetic patients and those with peripheral vascular disease

Diabetic and PVD patients have impaired healing and reduced sensation; even minor nail fold trauma can lead to infection, ulceration, or limb-threatening complications.

Phenol-alcohol ablation following partial nail avulsion is performed to:

Answer: Chemically destroy the nail matrix cells to prevent nail regrowth along the treated border

Phenolization of the nail matrix after partial nail avulsion permanently destroys germinal cells in the treated segment, preventing recurrence of the ingrown nail edge.