Frequent Ingrown Toenails? Here's Why

Did you spot yet another ingrown nail? One ingrown nail is a problem enough, but when you get them again and again, it’s nothing but frustrating— and painful. 

An ingrown toenail develops when the edge or corner of your nail grows into the skin next to it. This most often affects your big toe, though it can happen to any toe.

At first, it may cause mild tenderness or redness. As it worsens, the area can become swollen, painful, warm, or infected. You may also notice drainage or extra tissue forming along your nail border.

Recurring ingrown toenails usually mean something is repeatedly irritating your nail or causing it to grow into the surrounding skin. If you keep getting ingrown nails, don’t hesitate to visit our podiatry team at NYC Foot & Ankle Center in the Manhattan Valley neighborhood of the Upper West Side.

In the meantime, here are five potential reasons you may get recurrent ingrown nails. 

1. You’re trimming your nails incorrectly

Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the corners can encourage the nail edge to grow into the surrounding skin. Trim your nails straight across and avoid digging into the corners. 

2. Your shoes are crowding your toes

Tight shoes, narrow toe boxes, and high heels can press your toes together and push your nail into the skin. That pressure can lead to recurrent ingrown toenails.

This is especially common if you walk a lot, run, work long shifts on your feet, or wear dress shoes that squeeze the front of your foot. 

Choose shoes with enough room in the toe box. This can reduce pressure and help prevent the nail from digging in.

3. Your nail shape works against you

Sometimes, ingrown toenails happen because of the natural shape of your nails. If your nails are curved, wide, or tend to grow downward at the edges, you may be more prone to this problem even if you trim them carefully.

In these cases, recurring ingrown toenails may need more than at-home care. Our team of experts can assess your nail shape and recommend treatment to reduce your risk of recurrence.

4. You’ve had toe trauma

Surprisingly, even a toe injury can increase your risk of recurrent ingrown nails. For example, stubbing your toe or dropping something on it can damage your nail and change the way it grows. Even minor trauma can cause your nail to thicken, curve, or grow unevenly.

Repetitive pressure from sports can also contribute to toe trauma. Runners, dancers, athletes, and people who wear steel-toe boots or tight work shoes may be more likely to develop ingrown toenails from repeated impact.

5. You have an infection or an underlying foot condition

Fungal infections increase your risk of ingrown toenails because they thicken or distort the nail, making it more likely to press into the surrounding skin. Certain foot structures, excessive sweating, and skin irritation can also increase your risk.

People with type 2 or type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of developing ingrown nails.

If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced sensation in your feet, don’t try to treat an ingrown toenail on your own. Even a minor nail problem can quickly become serious, so it’s important to visit us. 

As diabetic foot care experts, our team at NYC Foot & Ankle Center can safely treat your ingrown nail, check for signs of infection, and help prevent complications before they escalate.

What to do if you keep getting ingrown nails

If you think you have an ingrown toenail, don’t dig into your nail or try to cut it out yourself. That can worsen irritation and increase your risk of infection.

If your nail is naturally curved, wide, or prone to growing into the skin, you may keep developing ingrown toenails even with careful at-home care.

Our team takes a conservative, minimally invasive approach whenever possible. Depending on the severity of your ingrown nail, your treatment may include gently lifting the nail, taping the skin away from the nail, or placing a small gutter splint under the nail to guide healthy growth.

If your nail is infected, painful, or keeps coming back, your NYC Foot & Ankle Center podiatrist may recommend removing the affected portion of the nail. 

Antibiotics are only needed if there is a true infection. If they’re prescribed for you, make sure to take your full dose, even if your nail starts to look better.

Don’t keep repeating the same painful cycle

Recurring ingrown toenails are annoying, but they’re also treatable. Once you know what’s causing them, you can take steps to prevent the next flare-up and protect your feet.

If you keep dealing with the same sore, swollen nail, call NYC Foot & Ankle Center today to schedule a consultation and get lasting relief.