If you trim your nails too short, especially on the sides of your big toes, you might set the stage for the nail to grow into the skin.
Like many people, when you trim your nails if you cut the sides then the nails bend, curve, and take the shape of the fingers. But this technique may encourage the nail to grow under the skin of your finger.
The cut sides of the nail start to incorporate, digging under the skin. An ingrown toenail can also happen if you wear shoes that are too tight or too short.
When you experience an ingrown toenail, it can cause discomfort, swelling, and tenderness. Later, it can become red and infected, and feel very painful. An ingrown toenail is a common thing and especially painful in young people. Ingrown toenails are most often found on the big toe.
An ingrown toenail happens when the skin on one or both sides of the nail grows over the edges of it, or when the nail itself grows under the skin. Redness, pain, and swelling at the edge of the nail can result, and infection can follow quickly. Sometimes a small amount of pus can be seen leaking from the affected area.
An ingrown toenail develops for many reasons. Some cases are congenital (born with it)-the nail is too big for the finger. Trauma, such as stubbing the toe or stepping on it, can cause an ingrown toenail.
However, the most common cause is wearing tight shoes or cutting the nails too short.
Anatomy of the nail
An ingrown toenail should be treated as soon as it is noticed. If caught early (before it becomes infected), home care can prevent the need for further treatment:
You may need to lift the edge of the nail up from its embedded position under the skin and place some cotton threads between the nail and the skin. Change this packing every day.