Causes of Ingrown Toenails

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An ingrown toenail can cause excruciating pain as the result of the toenail becoming embedded in the surrounding flesh of the toe. The most common location of an ingrown toenail is the big toe. Improper toenail hygiene is the most likely cause of developing an ingrown toenail. If the nail is too long or rounded, it may be more likely to grow into the skin. Cutting the nails short and straight across can help to eliminate this situation. Trauma, such as stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on it, can also affect the way the nail grows and increase the likelihood of an ingrown toenail. Tight or ill-fitting footwear can be another contributing factor to the development of an ingrown toenail. If an ingrown toenail breaks the skin, it may become infected and make matters worse. In some cases the toe becomes more swollen and red, increasing the level of pain and throbbing. Pus and fluids may form at the site. Wearing shoes that continue to press on the sore toe can increase discomfort. Treating an ingrown toenail is usually a relatively simple process, and it is suggested that you consult a chiropodist who can effectively treat this condition. Ingrown toenails may require medical attention. If you have significant pain or notice signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. What Is an Ingrown Toenail? An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenails of the big toe are usually affected, however, an ingrown toenail can happen on any toe. Sometimes, the area can become infected leading to potentially serious complications. The ingrown toenail may be caused by improper trimming of the toenail, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or injury to the nail. Symptoms The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include: Pain Swelling Redness Warmth Pus or drainage from the affected nail or a fever may indicate an infection of the area. Treatment Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In less severe cases, home treatment may be adequate. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail from the skin with a piece of clean cotton can help. In more severe cases, you may need to use topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection. Surgical removal of the ingrown toenail may be required if more conservative treatments fail. Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and properly trimming the toenails. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and not too short when using nail clippers. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs. Read more about Ingrown Toenails