5 Common Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are one of the most common ailments seen by a podiatrist. This condition can be very irritating and extremely painful. A nail becomes ingrown when the corner nail pushes on to the skin around the toe. This can cause redness, inflammation and severe pain when left untreated. An infection can often occur as the edge of the toenail punctures the soft skin tissue, allowing germs and bacteria to enter. Even though the most common spot for an ingrown toenail is the big toe, it may develop on any toe.
There are a number of reasons as to why a nail becomes ingrown. Some of the most common causes include:
1.Improper trimming: A leading cause for ingrown toenails is cutting toenails incorrectly. Do not cut them too short or rounded. The best way to trim your toenails is to cut them straight across.
2.Genetic predisposition: Some people face an ingrown toenail problem due to faulty genetics. If anyone of your family members has an ingrown toenail, then you are more likely to develop this condition.
3.Injury or trauma: Any repetitive injury or trauma to the nail can also cause the nail to become ingrown.
4. Poor footwear choices: Tightly-fitted shoes with narrow toe boxes can cause crowding, overlapping and pressure on your nails to grow in an unusual way.
5. Poor foot hygiene: Not keeping your feet clean and dry can increase the risk of ingrown toenails.
Timely treatment of ingrown toenails can help avert major complications. If you are suffering from any early symptoms or an acute ingrown toenail problem, you may want to consult with a foot and ankle doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment options.
At Foot and Ankle Associate, LLP we help treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including heel spurs, arthritis, fallen arches, sports injuries, shin splints, diabetic foot problems, and fungal infections. Our team of expert podiatrists can help you treat all your foot and ankle ailments. Call us at any one of our 5 convenient office locations in Kennett Square, Garnet Valley and West Grove, PA or Greenville and Newark, DE to schedule an appointment.