Ingrown toenails are an extremely painful condition of the toenail (generally the Big Toe) that afflicts thousands of people every day. What causes ingrown toenails is a common question asked of Podiatrists daily. This article will discuss the most common causes of ingrown toenails.
There are three main causes of ingrown toenails. This will procede from the most common to the least common
1. Genetics– Ingrown toenails, specifically the shape of the toenail are handed down by generations. If you have a child under 18 who has an ingrown toenail, this is almost always the cause of the ingrown toenail. Sometimes, with adults the ingrowns do not show up until later. Essentially, if you cannot think of a specific cause of your ingrown toenail, the cause is most likely genetics. This is important to know. Because it makes sense to get the side of the nail permanently removed on the first visit to the Podiatrist, if you believe genetics is the cause. If it is genetics your ingrown will reoccur and there is nothing that can be done about it. And so we are clear, cutting a V into the ingrown toenail does not work.
Video explaining permanent procedure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaqgjuRsucs
2. Trauma– This happens when you drop something on the toenail which alters the course of toenail’s growth pattern. This will typically happen within 14 days of the trauma. This can also occur with stubbed toes as well. The treatment for this ideally would be a simple toenail removal.
3. Tight Shoes– If you wear tight shoes they can cause ingrown toenails. The shoes do this by applying pressure to the toenail which leads to an incurvation in the toenail causing it to be ingrown. The shoes that are the most common culprit of this is high heels or tight dress shoes. For this cause you would want to have the ingrown toenail removed and then wear shoes that are not tight.
4. Hallux Limitus– This is arthritis of the big toe joint that limits motion of the big toe joint. This alteration in biomechanics will put pressure on the toenail causing it to ingrow. If you have arthritis of the big toe joint or your big toe hurts when the joint moves this could be the cause.
5. Fungus– This is rarely a cause of ingrown toenails. In fact an ingrown toenail is more likely to cause a fungal infection, than a fungal infection causing an ingrown toenail. But, the fungus can alter how an ingrown toenail grows leading to an ingrown. With this condition you need to remove the ingrown toenail then treat the fungal infection.
Urban Myths that cause ingrown toenails
1. Bone Spur– There are unethical Podiatrists that like to say spurs on the big toe under the toenail. What they do with this scam is “grind down” the spur underneath the toenail. There is no medical literature to indicate this is a cause. If your Podiatrist insists it is a cause ask to see a medical article on it. They will not be able to produce one.