From the Guidelines
Yes, skin can become numb around an ingrown toenail due to inflammation and pressure on nearby nerves. This numbness typically occurs when the ingrown nail penetrates the surrounding skin, causing infection and inflammation that can compress or irritate small sensory nerves in the area. The numbness may be accompanied by other symptoms like pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes drainage if infection is present.
Causes and Symptoms
According to the guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes 1, pre-ulcerative lesions on the foot, such as blisters, fissures, or hemorrhage, appear to be strong predictors of future ulceration. Ingrown toenails can be considered a pre-ulcerative lesion, especially if they become infected. The infection can lead to increased pressure on the surrounding skin and nerves, potentially causing numbness.
Treatment and Management
If you experience numbness around an ingrown toenail, you should:
- Soak your foot in warm water with Epsom salt for 15-20 minutes several times daily
- Gently clean the area
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin
- Wear open-toed shoes or sandals to reduce pressure Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) can help manage discomfort. However, persistent numbness, severe pain, spreading redness, or pus drainage indicates you should see a healthcare provider promptly, as these may signal a more serious infection requiring professional treatment, possibly including partial nail removal or antibiotics.
Prevention
Preventing ingrown toenails and their complications involves proper foot care, including trimming toenails straight across, avoiding tight footwear, and keeping the feet clean and dry. For individuals with diabetes, regular foot exams by a healthcare professional are crucial for early detection and treatment of foot problems, including ingrown toenails 1.
Key Considerations
It's essential to note that while the provided evidence discusses various aspects of foot care and nail infections, the most recent and relevant guideline for managing ingrown toenails and preventing foot ulcers is from 1, which emphasizes the importance of treating pre-ulcerative lesions promptly to prevent further complications.
From the Research
Skin Numbness Around Ingrowing Toenail
- The provided studies do not directly address the issue of skin numbness around an ingrowing toenail 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is known that ingrown toenails can cause pain, inflammation, and discomfort in the affected area 2, 5, 6.
- In some cases, the pain and inflammation associated with ingrown toenails can lead to nerve damage or compression, which may result in numbness or tingling sensations in the surrounding skin 2.
- Nevertheless, there is no explicit mention of skin numbness as a common symptom of ingrown toenails in the available studies.
Related Symptoms and Treatment
- Ingrown toenails can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, redness, swelling, and discharge 2, 5, 6.
- Treatment options for ingrown toenails vary depending on the severity of the condition and may include conservative measures, such as soaking and topical antibiotics, or surgical procedures, such as nail avulsion or matricectomy 2, 4, 5, 6.
- It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of ingrown toenails to prevent complications and promote effective management of symptoms 2, 4, 5, 6.