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

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

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

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.

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%).

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.