The difference between ingrown toenail and paronychia can be distinguished by looking at the

Many people think that ingrown toenails and paronychia are very similar, so they think that these two are basically the same disease. In fact, the causes and symptoms of ingrown toenails and paronychia are different, and even the treatment methods are different.

1. Because of the gaps in the nail groove , pathogenic bacteria can easily lodge and reproduce in the nail groove, especially on the feet, which is a perfect place for pathogenic bacteria to grow. Most long-term paronychia is caused by the growth of the toenail into the flesh, and in a few people it may be caused by fungal infection.

2. Paronychia is an inflammation on both sides of the nail caused by bacterial infection, and also has symptoms such as pain, swelling, and suppuration. It is mostly caused by minor trauma such as punctures and peeling, but more often it is caused by ingrown toenails. The edge of the ingrown toenail irritates the soft tissue of the nail groove and causes secondary infection. Most of the time, it occurs on the inner edge of the big toe. Initially, there is slight pain on one side of the nail, with local redness, swelling and tenderness. The infection can gradually spread to the nail root and the opposite nail groove, or even under the entire nail plate, forming perionychia or subungual abscess, and may also be accompanied by hyperplasia of granulation tissue in the nail groove, with obvious pain and tenderness, and even inability to walk.

3. Ingrown toenail is a foot disease in which the toenail pierces the soft tissue and repeatedly squeezes the toe, causing symptoms such as toe pain, swelling, and suppuration. Ingrown toenails are often caused by wearing shoes that are too tight, bending and deforming one side of the toenail. It occurs when the side edge of the toenail pierces the soft tissue of the nail groove. Toenail deformities can also be caused by squeezing, collision, mechanical damage or certain diseases. Toenails can also be trimmed too short and too deep, and the side edge of the nail is not trimmed neatly, which can also cause ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails cause great pain to patients, especially when walking or when the toenails are squeezed, the pain is aggravated. In severe cases, patients will be restless and will feel pain when covered by a quilt while sleeping. Moreover, ingrown toenails are very prone to repeated infection, causing redness, swelling and pain in the nail groove, and even infection and suppuration.

The above is the difference between paronychia and ingrown toenails in terms of causes and symptoms. While there are differences between the two, there is also a certain correlation. Suffering from ingrown toenails is often prone to paronychia. Repeated paronychia can cause deformation of the nails and form ingrown toenails. The two diseases complement each other and can be transformed into each other. Both diseases are common and frequently occurring clinical diseases. Chronic paronychia that does not heal for a long time is often seen on the inner and outer sides of the first toe.