Ingrown toenails develop when a corner or side of the nail starts growing into the skin. Often, redness, pain, and inflammation are warning signs that a toenail has become ingrown. Left unaddressed, the toenail could become infected, but they can be treated successfully with home care in many cases. Below are some factors that could lead to the condition.  

What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?

1. Nail Shape or Length

Some nail shapes are more likely to develop into ingrown toenails. When the nail is crescent-shaped or curved, there may be a greater risk of growing into the skin. Trimming your nail straight across in a line can help to reduce this risk. 

You’ll also want to avoid cutting your nails too short or allowing them to grow too long. Ideally, there should be roughly one to two millimeters of white showing at the end of your nails.  

2. Tight-Fitting Shoes

Shoes that are too tight can affect the way the nail grows, causing it to go inwards towards the skin. This is especially common with shoes that have a narrow toe box, or area where the toes sit. 

Many pumps and other high heels are a common culprit, but it can also occur in athletic sneakers. If you’ve experienced ingrown toenails, assess your footwear to see if you need to swap them out for a shoe with more space. 

3. Trauma

In some cases, an ingrown toenail could be an isolated incident that results from previous trauma. For instance, if you’ve dropped something on your foot or stubbed your toe, your nail could be injured, and it may not grow the same way. Trimming it to the proper length and shape should help to prevent the issue in the future, however.

Ingrown toenails that don’t go away with home remedies like warm water soaks or changing footwear may require professional help. If you have this or any other foot condition that needs attention, turn to St. Peters Foot & Ankle: Samuel T. Wood-DPM. Serving St. Charles County, MO, this practice is led by board-certified podiatrist Dr. Sam Wood, DPM, who specializes in a wide range of foot conditions. See their full list of foot care options online or call (636) 720-0190 to schedule an appointment.