Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh.
It is a common condition, and it can be painful, causing swelling, redness, and sometimes infection.
It usually affects the big toe, either on one or both sides of the toe.
If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet, you're at greater risk of complications of ingrown toenails.
Symptoms
Ingrown toenail symptoms include:
1. Pain and tenderness in your toe along one or both sides of the nail;
2. Redness around your toenail;
3. Swelling of your toe around the nail;
4. Infection of the tissue around your toenail.
Here are some of the causes of ingrown toenails:
Footwear:
Shoes and socks that crowd the toes and toenails increase the chance of an ingrown toenail.
Shoes can be too tight because they are too short, too narrow at the end, or too flat at the end.
Tight fitting socks, tights, or stockings may cause ingrown toenails.
Cutting the toenails too short:
Not cutting straight across or cutting the edges of the toenail can encourage the surrounding skin to fold over the nail.
The nail can then push into that skin and pierce it.
Toenail injury:
Dropping something on the toe, kicking something hard, and other accidents can lead to ingrown toenails.
An unusual curvature:
This increases the risk that the toenail will grow into the soft tissue, causing inflammation and possible infection.
Posture:
How a person walks or stands can affect the likelihood of developing ingrown toenails.
Poor foot hygiene or excessive sweating:
If the skin on the toes and feet is moist and warm, there is a higher chance of developing an ingrown toenail.
A fungal infection can increase the risk.
Heredity:
ingrown toenails can run in families.
Genetic factors:
Some people are born with larger toenails.
Complications
