Ingrown toenails. You’ve heard of them and know some friends and family who have had one. They are a fairly common foot problem that in most cases are easily treatable. As harmless as they seem, they can become serious health problems for certain people with other health problems such as diabetes. They can also become infected if left untreated, causing potentially excruciating pain and possibly irreparable damage to the toe. In some cases, it will be necessary to remove the nail itself.

What is an ingrown toenail?

Normally, the toenail will grow over the flesh of the toe. This is because the nails act as a source of protection for the tip of the toe, as well as the ancient use of gripping the ground when barefoot. However, an ingrown toenail occurs when a nail grows into the flesh rather than on top of the flesh. These nail abnormalities usually occur on the big toes.

What causes ingrown toenails?

There are multiple causes of ingrown toenails, most of which are easily preventable. Here are their common causes:

Bad foot care. Cutting the nail too short and cutting rounded edges can cause the nails to grow out the side of the toe. To avoid an ingrown toenail, avoid cutting the nail too short and cut it straight across.

Wearing ill-fitting shoes or tight hosiery. Wearing shoes that are too small not only crushes the toes, but can also cause the toenail to bend and grow around the nail, including growing to the side of the toes, which results in ingrown nails. Wearing tight socks can have the same effects as tight shoes, and wearing them regularly can alter the proper growth direction of the toenail.

Injury or trauma to the toe. A toe that is accidentally crushed, jammed, bumped, stepped on, or cut can cause the nail to split, crack, or break. If left untrimmed, the jagged, broken edges of the nail can curl and grow into the toe meat.

Ingrown Toenail Risk Factors

While anyone can get an ingrown toenail, some are at higher risk than others. Below are some of the risk factors that may increase the likelihood of their occurrence:

• those with diabetes
• Those with numbness in the toes.
• Those with unusually thick or curved toenails.
• Those with vascular problems in the toes.

Anyone can get an ingrown toenail, and often the treatment is as simple as wearing a different pair of shoes and making sure one’s toenails are trimmed properly. If left untreated, painful infections can occur. In severe cases, the toenail will need to be removed to stop the pain and the spread of infection. For people with other serious underlying medical conditions, an infected toe may be amputated.

If you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, try trimming it and wear loose-fitting shoes, such as sandals. If the pain worsens and makes it painful to do everyday tasks, contact your podiatrist to make an appointment.