Ingrown Nail

In this condition, the side of the nail actually grows into the nail bed, cutting the skin and causing discomfort, great pain, or even infection such as paronychia.

A vicious ingrown toenail is a common physical side-effect of compulsive toe picking. Those suffering from compulsive finger picking usually think nothing of diverting their attention from the fingernails to the toenails and toenail folds . Its the toes that are most susceptible to ingrown nails due to several reasons:

1. Poor nail care — usually cutting the nail too deeply, or at a poor angle
2. Traumatic damage to the toe — such as a bad stub
3. Poorly fitting shoes, or predisposition to an ingrown nail due to the formation of the foot
4. Picking!!! — brittle nails that are weakened and flaked from a fungal infection are tempting targets to pick at. If the extruding corners of the nail plate are removed through picking then one’s nails are at increased risk of growing in.

The medical term for ingrown nail — onychocryptosis — doesn’t hint at the pain and disfigurement that it can cause. This is one malady you want to avoid since the serious cases may require surgical removal of the entire nail.

The least you can do to avoid an ingrown nail caused by picking is to avoid picking the corners of the nail. Focus instead on other areas. Or better yet, focus on kicking the habit entirely.