Ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of straight outward. It most often affects the big toe and can make walking, wearing shoes or exercising uncomfortable. With the right care, most ingrown toenails heal well and rarely cause lasting problems.

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Close-up of a big toe with redness and swelling along the edge of the toenail.

Anatomy of the toe

Toenails are made of a hard protein called keratin and sit on a sensitive nail bed. Soft skin surrounds the edges of each nail, cushioning and protecting it. When a nail is cut too short, curves too much or gets pushed into the skin by tight shoes, it can dig into that surrounding skin and cause irritation.

Because feet spend so much time in shoes and socks or exposed to moisture, this irritation can lead to swelling, tenderness and sometimes infection. An ingrown toenail that isn't treated can get worse over time, so early attention helps protect the skin and support healthy nail growth.

Overview

Symptoms

An ingrown toenail usually causes noticeable discomfort along the affected nail. Common signs include:

Pain or tenderness along the nail edge
Redness and swelling
Warmth or hardened skin around the affected area
Drainage or other signs of infection
Difficulty wearing shoes or putting pressure on your toe

Symptoms usually start gradually and may get worse if the toenail continues growing into the skin or if bacteria enter the area.

Causes

Anyone can develop an ingrown toenail, but certain habits and conditions increase the risk. Common causes include:

Cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners instead of trimming straight across
Wearing shoes, socks or tights that crowd your toes
Toe injuries like stubbing your toe or repeated trauma from sports
Naturally curved or thick toenails
Sweaty feet that soften the skin around the nails

Risk factors

Some underlying conditions, like diabetes or poor circulation, can raise concern for infection if an ingrown toenail develops. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you'll experience an ingrown toenail, but it's worth mentioning them to your care team so they can watch closely and help you avoid complications.

Diagnosis

Your Novant Health foot and ankle specialist will evaluate your symptoms and ask about relevant factors, like recent nail care, footwear habits or any history of similar problems, before examining the affected toe. Most ingrown toenails are diagnosed with a simple exam to check for redness, swelling, tenderness or signs of infection.

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We offer leading-edge treatments for most foot and ankle conditions, treating many with medications, bracing and injections.

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Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.