Health Tips

What are ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur when the corner or side of a teonail grows into the soft flesh. This results in pain, redness, swelling and sometimes an infection. They are commonly seen at the big toe.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails can be a real pain, affecting our mobility in our everyday lives. But why do they happen? While genetics can play a role in developing ingrown toenails, other more common factors include ill-fitting footwear that are too short or too tight, trauma to the toes, or improper trimming.

How to prevent ingrown toenails?

Regardless the cause, preventing such occurrences is relatively simple. Here are three steps you can take:

1. Cut your toenails straight across.

Cutting your toenails too short and cutting unevenly near the corners increases the chances of the nails growing into the flesh. Cut the nails straight across to ensure it remains pain-free.

2. Get shoes that fit well.

The importance of proper footwear is often underestimated. This is especially so in adolescents and teens, who have sudden growth spurts and as such outgrow their footwear faster than they can be replaced. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to wiggle your toes easily in your shoes.

3. Avoid trauma to the toe area.

Trauma here does not just refer to stubbing or dropping something to your toe. It also includes any activities which puts repeated pressure on your toes, like running, soccer, and ballet. While it is impractical to avoid these activities just to prevent ingrown toenails, you should try to go barefoot for an hour or two after such activities.

References:

1. Ingrown toenails | Mayo Clinic

Image credit:

1. https://www.news-medical.net/image.axd?picture=2021%2F2%2FqHgiCLMzY9gAAAAASUVORK5CYII%3D.png
2. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7c/2f/cd/7c2fcdecb3716e8ff82d0b878f9ab904.jpg

Written by

Dr Leonard Goh