An ingrown toenail occurs when the sides of the toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenail curls and pierces the skin, which becomes red, swollen and tender. See Ingrown toenail – Symptoms for more details.
The big toe is most likely to be affected, either on one or on both sides.
Who is affected by ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails affect both men and women. They tend to be more common among teenagers and older people.
During the teenage years, the feet tend to sweat more. As a result, the toenail and surrounding skin can soften and split, resulting in an ingrown toenail.
Older people also sometimes get ingrown toenails because the nails naturally get thicker as a person ages. This can make the nails more difficult to cut and more likely to put pressure on the skin surrounding the nail.
Badly cut toenails and tight fitting shoes are two possible causes of ingrown toenails. See Ingrown toenail – Causes for more information.
Outlook
The type of treatment that is recommended will depend on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In most cases, an ingrown toenail can be successfully treated by either removing a section of the affected toenail or by removing the entire nail.
To prevent an ingrown toenail from getting worse, there are several self-care measures you can take. See Ingrown toenail – Treatment for more information about the options available.
Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can cause the toe to become infected. It may also cause an abscess (a painful, pus-filled swelling) to develop that will require surgery.
