Ingrown Toenails – Symptoms and Causes

What to Know About Toenail Problems

A common foot problem happens when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it. This painful condition most often affects the big toe.

When this happens, the area around the nail becomes red, swollen, and tender to the touch. The skin next to the nail may feel warm and look inflamed.

In some cases, the area can become infected, causing more pain and possibly drainage. Most cases can be treated at home with simple remedies.

However, if you experience severe pain, spreading redness, or have diabetes or circulation problems, seek medical help promptly. These conditions increase your risk of complications.

Treatment options:

• Warm soaks – Help reduce swelling and pain.
• Proper trimming – Cut nails straight across, not curved.
• Comfortable shoes – Avoid tight footwear that squeezes toes.

For persistent problems, healthcare providers may recommend:

1. Lifting the nail edge
2. Partially removing the problem nail
3. Antibiotics, if infection is present

People with diabetes should seek professional care rather than attempting self-treatment due to an increased risk of infection.

Symptoms

Ingrown toenails often cause noticeable discomfort in the affected area. Common signs include:

• Pain when pressure is applied to the toe
• Redness around the nail edge
• Swelling of the toe
• Signs of infection (warmth, pus, increased pain)

The symptoms typically develop gradually as the nail grows into the surrounding skin. For some people, the pain becomes severe enough to interfere with daily activities like walking or wearing shoes.

When to See a Doctor

You should contact your healthcare provider if you notice severe pain in a toe, or if there is pus or redness that appears to be spreading. This is especially important as these symptoms could indicate an infection.

If you have diabetes or a condition that affects your foot circulation, seek immediate medical help for any foot sores or signs of infection. Poor circulation can make healing difficult and increase the risk of complications.

Causes

Ingrown toenails can happen for several reasons:

• Tight shoes that press against toenails
• Improper nail-cutting techniques
• Toe injuries
• Naturally curved nail shape
• Fungal or bacterial nail infections
• Underlying health problems

These factors can lead to nails growing into the surrounding skin, causing pain and inflammation.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your chance of developing ingrown toenails:

Age and Physical Changes

Adolescents face a higher risk due to increased foot sweating, which softens nails and skin.

Nail Care Habits

• Cutting nails too short
• Rounding the corners of nails instead of cutting straight across

Physical Limitations

• Difficulty caring for your own nails

Footwear Choices

• Tight shoes that crowd toes together

Activities

• Running
• Kicking sports (like soccer or football)
• Any activity that might injure toes

Health Conditions

• Diabetes and other conditions that reduce blood flow to the feet

Complications

Foot problems can lead to serious issues for people with diabetes. Poor blood flow and nerve damage in the feet make it harder for small injuries to heal.

Even minor problems like cuts, corns, calluses, or ingrown toenails may develop into infections. Infections can become severe because nerve damage may reduce pain sensation, and poor blood flow slows healing.

Prevention

Preventing ingrown toenails is possible with proper foot care habits. Follow these tips to reduce your risk:

Proper Nail Trimming Technique

• Cut toenails straight across rather than curving them.
• Keep nails at a moderate length, even with your fingertips.
• If you get pedicures, instruct the technician to trim straight across.

Footwear Considerations

• Choose shoes that fit properly without squeezing your toes.
• Wear protective footwear (like steel-toed shoes) during activities that might injure your feet.

Special Care for Health Conditions

If you have diabetes or poor blood circulation:

• Examine your feet daily for signs of problems.
• See a podiatrist regularly for nail care if you can’t safely trim your own nails.
• Be especially mindful of shoe fit, as you may not feel when shoes are too tight.

Those with jobs that involve standing for long periods or putting pressure on their toes should be careful when choosing footwear.

Taking these preventive steps can significantly reduce your chances of developing painful ingrown toenails that might require medical treatment.