When you notice your nail is growing into your toe, you may be wondering what has caused it to happen. Especially because this condition, which is called an ingrown toenail, is often very painful. Your nail might be growing into your toe for a variety of reasons, but this condition is usually pretty simple to prevent in the future.
The most common reason your nail is growing into your toe is because of excessive, consistent pressure placed on the toe from the shoe. This happens when your shoes are too tight, or when they don’t have a wide enough toe area. Physical activity also increases the pressure on the toe and can cause abrupt, jarring movement of the shoe onto the corner of your nail. If you’ve noticed your nail is growing into your toe, you should reflect on if your physical activity has recently increased, especially any jumping or running. Additionally, make sure that your shoe isn’t too small and that your toes have plenty of space. This is especially important for your athletic shoes.
Another reason your nail might be growing into your toe is because of the shape of your toe and nail. When toenails are cut in a curved direction, this makes it easier for the nail to penetrate the skin of the toe during growth. To stop this from happening, be sure to trim your toenails straight across. Also, the shape of some people’s toes may increase the risk of an ingrown development. While there isn’t anything you can do about this specifically if you’ve noticed your toes are prone to getting ingrowns you should be extra careful to avoid other risk factors.
Once your nail has started growing into the side of your toe, you should seek a consultation with a licensed podiatrist. They will be able to diagnose your ingrown and give you effective advice and treatment. To schedule a consultation with a podiatrist, give us a call at (424)-299-4627 or visit our website for more information.