What is the medical term for ingrown nails?

The medical term for ingrown nails is onychocryptosis. This condition occurs when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, typically on the toes, leading to pain, inflammation, and potential infection. The term "onycho-" refers to nails, while "cryptosis" indicates something that is hidden or buried, perfectly describing the situation where part of the nail is embedded within the skin.

Understanding the other terms can help clarify why onychocryptosis is the specific term for ingrown nails. Onychopogy refers to a condition involving nail loss or detachment, which does not relate to the ingrowth of the nail itself. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails, leading to thickening or discoloration, and is also unrelated to the mechanical issue of ingrowth. Onychorrhexis is characterized by brittle nails that split and are prone to breaking but does not involve the phenomenon of a nail growing into surrounding tissue. Each of these terms addresses different nail disorders, reinforcing the uniqueness of onychocryptosis for ingrown nails.