Nail Bruise vs Fungus: Which One Do I Have?
Nail Bruise vs Fungus: Which One Do I Have? If
How to Avoid (and Fix) Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can be very painful, stubborn, but very often preventable. They develop when the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, most commonly on the big toe. The good news is that there are ways to avoid ingrown toenails and fix them effectively.
Whether you want to avoid them altogether or treat the one that’s bothering you, this handy guide has all the information you need.
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into the soft skin around it. Ingrown toenails can develop on any of the toes, but in most cases, they affect the big toe, causing more than a cosmetic issue. Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:
- Pain
- Heightened discomfort when wearing shoes
- Swelling
- Redness
- A curled toenail
- Increased tenderness
Fun fact: The medical term for ingrown toenail is Onychocryptosis.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails?
The most common causes of ingrown toenails include:
1. Cutting your toenails too short
Trimming your toenails regularly is important, but it’s crucial to do it properly. Cutting the nails too short or trimming around the edges can increase the risk of ingrown toenails.
2. Wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes
Wearing shoes that are too tight or don’t fit your feet properly can cause pain and put you at an increased risk of ingrown toenails. Pressure on your toes can cause abnormal nail growth.
3. Injuries
Injuries, such as stubbing your toe or dropping something on your foot, can damage your toenail and make it grow into the skin.
4. Nail infections
Fungal nail infections elevate the risk of ingrown toenails because they make the toenails thicker.
5. Curved toenails
Some people have toenails that are naturally more curved than others. If you have curved nails, you’re more prone to ingrown toenails.
How to Avoid Ingrown Toenails
The best ways to avoid ingrown toenails are to:
1. Cutting your toenails too short
The top tip for avoiding ingrown toenails is learning to trim your nails properly. Steps include:
- Soak your feet to soften the nails
- Use clippers to cut straight across the toenail. Avoid trimming your nails too short or cutting around the corners.
- Use a nail file or buffer to smooth the edges after trimming
You may want to read: How to properly cut your nails (Step-by-Step guide)
2. Wear comfortable shoes that fit your feet
Ill-fitting shoes are among the most common causes of ingrown toenails. Always ensure your shoes fit and feel comfortable. It’s wise to measure your feet, check size charts and try shoes on before buying.
Online shopping has become more popular. If you’re buying shoes online, check the returns policy, make sure you order the right size, and send the shoes back if they don’t fit.
3. Practice good foot hygiene
Taking care of your feet is important. Good foot hygiene helps to lower the risk of infections, reducing the chances of pain, discoloration, thick toenails, and ingrown toenails. Wash your feet daily, change your socks every day, dry your feet thoroughly, and avoid sharing towels and nail care tools.
| Cause | Treatment options/steps |
|---|---|
| Fungal nail infection | Onychomycosis treatment involves using topical or oral antifungal medication. Onychomycosis medication is highly effective but it can take several weeks or months to work. During treatment, it’s important to maintain good foot hygiene and trim your nails regularly. |
| Trauma and injuries | Discoloration caused by bruising to the toenails often fades with time, with no need for medical treatment. |
| Underlying health issues | Treatment for the root cause is the priority. Once the primary health issue has been treated, targeted solutions for discolored toenails may be recommended, including medication and improved foot hygiene. |
| LStaining | Solutions include giving up smoking and using a clear base coat before applying colored nail polish. Support for quitting smoking is available from your doctor, pharmacist or stop-smoking charities. |
Important: Always confirm fungus with a doctor if OTC treatments fail.
Who Gets Ingrown Toenails?
Anyone can get an ingrown toenail, but they’re most prevalent among these groups:
- People who exercise and play sports frequently
- Teens (due to common sweaty feet + rapid growth)
- People with underlying health conditions, including diabetes
- Seniors
- People with poor foot hygiene
- People who wear ill-fitting shoes
How to Identify an Ingrown Toenail
Signs of an ingrown toenail include:
- Redness
- Swelling around the toenail
- Increased tenderness when you touch the nail or move the affected toe
- Pain when you walk, kick anything or put shoes on
- The toenail may grow at an angle, curving into the skin
Ingrown toenails can get infected. Signs of infection include inflammation, pain, pus seeping from the toe, and a fever.
How to Fix an Ingrown Toenail
The best ways to fix an ingrown toenail include self-help remedies and treatments recommended by health experts.
Self-help treatments
Self-help treatments for an ingrown toenail include:
- Bathe and soak your foot in warm salt water
- Keep your foot dry once you’ve washed
- Wear loose-fitting or open-toe shoes or slippers
- Take over-the-counter medication to ease pain and reduce swelling
- Avoid touching or picking at the toenail
- Avoid cutting the toenail
- Stay away from tight shoes and socks
When to seek medical advice
If self-help treatments don’t work, seek medical advice. It’s important to get help if these circumstances apply:
- Your symptoms are getting worse
- The ingrown toenail is affecting your day-to-day life
- Home remedies aren’t helping
- You have signs of an infection, such as pus, a fever, chills or a very swollen toe
- You have underlying health issues, such as diabetes
Treatments your doctor or podiatrist may recommend include:
- Antibiotics for infected toenails
- Nail manipulation
- Nail removal
The Bottom Line on How to Avoid and Fix Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are common but there are effective ways to deal with them. Prevention is always better than cure but if you develop an ingrown toenail, it’s beneficial to follow these simple steps: keep your foot clean, avoid touching the affected nail, wear loose or open-toed shoes, and soak your feet in salt water.
Wearing comfortable, well-fitted shoes and trimming your toenails safely are the best ways to prevent ingrown toenails. Maintaining good foot hygiene is also important. Take a look at Swissklip’s range of nail and foot care tools to lower risks and restore nail health.
If you’ve tried self-help solutions at home and they haven’t worked, your symptoms get worse, or you have a fever or other signs of an infection, seek medical advice.
FAQs
Can I remove an ingrown toenail at home?
Only small to mild cases. If you feel pain, swelling, or see pus, please go to a doctor.
How do I cut my nails to avoid ingrown nails?
Always make sure to cut your nails straight across, not too short, and avoid rounding corners
Do socks or shoes cause ingrown toenails?
Yes, but it depends on the ones you use daily basis. Tight or narrow footwear can push nails into the skin and cause an ingrown toenail.
Can an ingrown toenail go away on its own?
Though a difficult thing to happen, some mild cases may improve with soaking and better nail care (though this is not technically “on its own”), but many worsen without treatment.
Adrian Fuentes
Lead Product Engineer
With a strong background in engineering and a passion for creating user-focused solutions, Adrian leads the Swissklip development team with precision and innovation. Over the past decade, he has helped design and refine tools that combine cutting-edge technology with everyday practicality. Adrian is dedicated to improving quality of life through well-engineered, safe, and effective solutions, backed by rigorous research and a deep understanding of user needs. When not in the lab, he stays current with emerging trends in personal care, wellness, and health-tech innovation to ensure every product meets the highest standards.
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