Ingrown Nails
Many people have experienced the pain of an ingrown toenail. It occurs when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe, most often the big toe. Ingrown toenails can cause pain, swelling, redness and sometimes infection.
- When the edge of a toenail grows into the adjoining skin, swelling and redness often occur due to inflammation from tissue damage. Other symptoms may include:
- Pain that worsens when pressure is applied.
- Pain when standing or walking, especially if shoes are tight in the toe box.
- Infection (redness, pus, red streaks, swelling, warm to the touch).
Cutting the toenails too short and/or not cutting them straight across is the most common cause of ingrown toenails. Another common cause is shoes that are too short or that fit too tightly and compress the toes together. They can also be due to trauma or injury to the toe or toenail. People whose toes are unusually curved are prone to having ingrown toenails.
