Tuesday, 19 September 2023 00:00

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can be a painful and frustrating condition commonly affecting the big toe. Understanding the causes and appropriate treatment options can help you alleviate discomfort and prevent further complications. One of the causes of ingrown toenails is improper nail trimming. Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges can encourage the nail to grow into the skin. Additionally, wearing tight-fitting shoes that crowd the toes can exert pressure on the toenails, increasing the risk of ingrowth. Trauma or injury to the toe can also be a culprit of ingrown nails. Stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on it can cause the nail to grow abnormally. To alleviate ingrown toenail pain, the affected foot can be soaked in warm, soapy water to reduce swelling and soften the skin. Proper nail care and wearing comfortable shoes can help prevent this painful condition, ensuring your feet stay healthy and pain-free. If the problem persists or becomes infected, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist. Antibiotics may be recommended and in severe cases, a minor surgical procedure may be done to remove the ingrown part of the nail. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Foot & Ankle Care Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
  • Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
  • Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
  • Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Nashville, Smyrna, Spring Hill, Columbia, Dickson, Fairview, Hohenwald, TN and the Middle Tennessee community . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Ingrown Toenail Care

Nashville Foot &
Ankle Center

397 Wallace Road, Building C, Suite 411
Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 332-0330

Smyrna Foot &
Ankle Center

309 Quecreek Circle
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 220-2982

Spring Hill Foot &
Ankle Center

5073 Columbia Pike, Suite 230
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(615) 302-5400

Columbia Foot &
Ankle Center

1503 Hatcher Lane, Suite 100
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-9922

Dickson Foot &
Ankle Center

111 U.S. 70 East, Suite 102
Dickson, TN 37055
(615) 229-3045

Fairview Foot &
Ankle Center

2340 Fairview Blvd., Ste. 600A
Fairview, TN 37062
(615) 229-3045

Hohenwald Foot &
Ankle Center

617 West Main Street
Hohenwald, TN 38462
(931) 388-9922
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