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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
*National Reference Center for Nail Diseases, Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González," Mexico City, Mexico; †Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González", Mexico City, Mexico; ‡Department of Dermatology, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición y Ciencias Médicas Salvador Zubirán, México City, México.
Daniela
D
Gutiérrez-Mendoza
Mariana
M
De Anda Juárez
Verónica Fonte
VF
Ávalos
Gisela Reyes
GR
Martínez
Judith
J
Domínguez-Cherit
D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009263:Nails, Ingrown / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010304:Paronychia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003487:Cyanoacrylates