"Cotton nail cast": a simple solution for mild and painful lateral and distal nail embedding.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Onychocryptosis is one of the most common painful nail conditions. Conservative treatment may take a long time to obtain effective results.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study is to show the effectiveness of a conservative treatment of ingrown nails that shows rapid results.

METHODS AND MATERIALS:

Patients with painful Stage 1 to 2 onychocryptosis who were not candidates or refused surgery were treated with the cotton cast. The severity and cause of onychocryptosis was clinically evaluated during a 2-month period. A questionnaire was applied to all patients to evaluate pain, final treatment, and possible complications.

RESULTS:

All patients noticed results in less than 72 hours. Pain subsided in less than 24 hours in half of the patients and before 72 hours in 100% of the patients without the need of other treatments. The use of the cast prevented surgery and the accompanying morbidities in most of the patients (80%).

CONCLUSION:

The "cotton nail cast" is an effective conservative method for mild nail embedding. It is easy to apply, inexpensive, relieves pain rapidly, and avoids surgery in most patients.

• Authors: Daniela Gutiérrez-Mendoza, Mariana De Anda Juárez, Verónica Fonte Ávalos, Gisela Reyes Martínez, Judith Domínguez-Cherit
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 41 Issue 3 Pg. 411-4 (Mar 2015) ISSN: 1524-4725 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25738445 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cyanoacrylates

Topics

• Aged
• Bandages
• Cotton Fiber
• Cyanoacrylates
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nails, Ingrown (complications, pathology, therapy)
• Pain (etiology, pathology, prevention & control)
• Paronychia (etiology, pathology, prevention & control)
• Treatment Outcome