Ingrown toenail is a painful and often recurring condition that arises when the corner or edge of a toenail grows sideways or downward into the skin surrounding the nail.
This process causes irritation, swelling, and often infection. It leads to serious discomfort and makes walking difficult. Learning the causes of ingrown toenail helps treat current cases and stop them from coming back. Many things can cause it, including how people cut their nails, the shape of their feet, their shoes, and even their family history.
The most common of the causes of ingrown toenail is cutting nails the wrong way. When nails are trimmed too short or with rounded corners instead of straight across, they tend to grow into the skin. A rounded cut encourages the nail to follow its curve and dig into the skin instead of growing outward. Many people, especially teens and children, do not know the correct way to cut toenails.
Wearing tight or badly fitted shoes is another major cause. Shoes that pinch the toes—like pointed shoes, high heels, or stiff shoes—press the nail into the skin. Sports shoes that are too tight can also cause this by rubbing or squeezing the toe during movement. Over time, this pressure makes it more likely for the nail to grow the wrong way.
Injury to the toe is another common cause. Stubbing a toe, dropping something heavy on it, or constant small injuries from sports or dancing can change how the nail grows. The nail might become thick, curved, or broken. As it grows back, it may press into the skin.
Genetic Traits and Nail Shape as Causes of Ingrown Toenail
Some people inherit nail shapes that make them more likely to get ingrown toenails. Nails that are curved, fan-shaped, wide, or thick can press into the skin more easily. While you can’t change your genes, knowing you have this risk lets you take early steps, like wearing better shoes or seeing a foot doctor regularly.
Another overlooked cause is poor foot hygiene. Not cleaning or drying your feet properly softens the skin. Wet skin swells and may fold over the nail, letting it grow inward. This is common in people who sweat a lot or wear damp socks for long periods. Skipping regular foot care makes small problems grow into serious ones.
Foot shape and the way you walk can also affect nail growth. Flat feet, bunions, and other structural issues change how pressure spreads across your toes. This uneven pressure may force the nail into the skin. In such cases, wearing special insoles can help fix how the foot moves and stop the problem from coming back.
Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) can also lead to ingrown nails. Fungus makes nails thick, brittle, and oddly shaped. As the nail grows in this damaged state, it may push into the skin. Treating the fungus is necessary to help the nail grow in the right direction again.
Bad pedicures are another risk. People who cut nails too much or push back the cuticle too hard—especially in unclean salons—can damage the nail and skin. This damage can lead to infection and cause the nail to grow incorrectly.
In teens and young adults, quick body growth during puberty can also affect nail growth. Hormonal changes and fast-growing nails may cause a mismatch between nail and skin, leading the nail to dig into the toe. Though usually temporary, it shows how important proper nail care is during growth periods.
Lifestyle and Medical Factors Among the Causes of Ingrown Toenail
People with long-term health problems like diabetes, poor blood flow, or nerve damage must take special care. Even light pressure or minor injury can cause an ingrown toenail. Poor circulation slows healing, and weak immune systems raise the risk of infection. In serious cases, an untreated ingrown nail can lead to foot ulcers or, in extreme situations, amputation.
Jobs and daily habits can also raise your risk. Workers who stand all day or wear heavy boots—like construction or factory workers—often put more pressure on their toes. Dancers, runners, and martial artists also put constant strain on their feet. These habits can cause small injuries that lead to ingrown nails.
Being overweight also adds pressure to the toes. This pressure can change the way the nail grows and push it into the skin. Over time, the extra weight increases the chances of getting an ingrown toenail, especially when combined with tight shoes or flat feet.
To sum up, the causes of ingrown toenail include bad nail trimming, tight shoes, toe injuries, family traits, fungal infections, poor hygiene, and medical or lifestyle factors. Knowing what leads to this problem makes it easier to treat and avoid in the future. By paying attention to these causes, people can lower the chances of painful repeat cases and stay on track with good foot care.
