For years, I’ve had ingrown toenails, meaning the edge of my nail grows into nearby skin, causing me inflammation and pain. This is bad news for a Manhattan dweller like me who walks most places.

You have an ingrown toenail (the side of your nail grows into the skin). You've picked up a fungus, which you can get if you walk barefoot in common areas like a gym shower or locker room.

In addition to the symptoms of an ingrown nail, a paronychia can also cause warmth, pain and even buildup and drainage of pus. Ingrown nails are common, affecting 2% to 5% of the population annually.

Most ingrown nail problems can be prevented with proper grooming of the toes and by wearing better-fitting shoes. In fact, if you have an ingrown toenail, chances are you can treat it at home, too.

Diagnosis: Onychocryptosis "This is better known as an ingrown toenail," says Palahey. "The nail grows at an angle, perforates the skin and lets bacteria in, so a niggly, painful infection occurs." ...