Why Do Ingrown Toenails Keep Coming Back?

An ingrown toenail may seem better after the tenderness fades, only to return a few weeks or months later. When this happens, the underlying cause often has not changed. 

Below, Chicago podiatrist Stavros Alexopoulos, DPM, of My Chicago Foot Expert, identifies why an ingrown toenail keeps coming back and recommends treatment that addresses more than the immediate discomfort.

What Causes Recurring Ingrown Toenails?

An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of the nail presses or grows into the surrounding skin. Several factors can cause the same area to become irritated repeatedly:

• Cutting the nail too short or rounding the corners
• Wearing shoes that crowd or press against the toes
• Injuring the nail through sports, running, or repeated impact
• Having naturally curved or unusually shaped toenails
• Picking at the nail or trying to dig out the painful edge

Even after swelling improves, the nail may continue growing along the same curved path. Repeatedly trimming the corner can make the problem worse by leaving a sharp edge that grows back into the skin.

Can You Prevent an Ingrown Toenail from Returning?

Proper nail care can reduce the chance of another ingrown toenail. Cut toenails straight across rather than curving them to follow the shape of the toe. Avoid trimming them extremely short and choose shoes with enough room for your toes to move without being squeezed.

Repeatedly cutting, pulling, or digging beneath the nail can injure the skin and increase the risk of infection. Mild symptoms may sometimes improve with warm-water soaks and roomier footwear, but continuing pain deserves professional attention.

When Does an Ingrown Toenail Need Treatment?

Contact us if the toe remains painful, becomes increasingly red or swollen, drains pus, or repeatedly develops an ingrown edge. People with diabetes, reduced circulation, or nerve damage should avoid treating an ingrown toenail on their own because even a small wound can become more difficult to heal.

Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of the problem. It may include gently lifting the nail, removing the ingrown portion, treating an infection, or performing a procedure designed to keep the troublesome edge from growing back.

Recurring ingrown toenails are not something you simply have to tolerate. Reach out to the staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our new, comfortable Chicago office, located at 5015 N Paulina Street, Suite #217.