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How Does an Ingrown Toenail Happen?

If your toenails are healthy, you do not give them a second thought. Yet problems become painfully clear when this part of our body is affected. When the edges of your toenails grow into the surrounding skin, an ingrown toenail is the result. Pain and swelling once the nail begins to carve itself into your skin are often the first signs. This condition can strike in any nail, but is often found in the big toe.

  1. Careful Choice of Footwear

    • Some of us will suffer great lengths in the name of fashion, but caution is advised when it comes to your feet. Cramming your feet into shoes that do not fit can be an invitation to this foot problem. Those sleek shoes may look spectular, but narrow shoes are often the culprit to ingrown toenails. When your shoes do not fit properly, the toes are jammed into the shoe. This direct pressure will affect your toenails and can encourage them to grow abnormally.

    Trimming Your Nails

    • Cutting your toenail in a curved shape with short edges may appear like a good idea, but don't be fooled. The part of the nail that is tapered can dig into the fleshy part of your skin causing pain and inflammation. It's always best to cut your toenails straight across because they will grow properly.

      Cutting your toenails too short should also be avoided. Irritation, tenderness and sensitivity may be signs that you have cut off too much of the nail. Wearing shoes or even socks will also become uncomfortable when you have ingrown toenails.

    Foot Injury

    • Stubbing your toe can also cause damage to your toenail. If your nail has sustained enough injury, it will fall off eventually. Before it does, it will get dark and harden. Nails that are injured usually grow out of proportion to the nail. The skin on either side of the nail may grow over the edge of the nail and can become painful. Accidently, dropping a heavy object on your nail can also cause trauma to your toenails. Another form of direct trauma can also occur if someone steps on your foot. Anything that causes damage to the nail may lead to an ingrown toenail.

    Health Conditions and Your Nail

    • Diabetics should pay careful attention to ingrown toenails. They are more likely at risk to develop serious infections as a result. These patients often suffer from poor circulation and can have serious complications from foot problems.

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