Ingrown Toe Nails

Presentation

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail curves into the surrounding skin, causing pain and irritation. The medical term for this condition is onychocryptosis. While it most commonly affects the big toe, it can occur on any toe that is crowded by footwear or neighboring nails.

If left untreated, the area can become infected, leading to redness, swelling, and tenderness. Ingrown toenails can affect patients of all ages — from athletes to seniors — and can significantly impact daily comfort and mobility.

Common Causes

• Genetics – natural nail shape or curvature

• Improper nail trimming – cutting nails too short or rounding the corners

• Tight or poorly fitted shoes – pressure on the toes encourages nails to grow inward

• Biomechanics & activity – athletes are more prone due to constant stops and starts

• Thickened fungal nails – more common in older adults, increasing the risk of ingrowns

Prevention Tips

• Trim toenails straight across rather than rounding the corners

• Avoid cutting nails too short

• Wear properly fitted, supportive shoes that don’t crowd the toes

Treatment Options

Treatment is designed to provide quick relief and prevent recurrence:

• Conservative Care – trimming or slant-back wedge resection of the affected nail edge to relieve pressure

• Permanent Procedures – for recurring ingrown toenails, a partial nail avulsion may be performed. This involves numbing the toe with a local anesthetic and removing the problematic section of nail along with the root (matrix). Phenol or similar agents are often applied to prevent regrowth.

• Infection Management – if the area is infected, antibiotics and wound care may be needed in addition to nail treatment.