What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails are painful, annoying, and can make everyday shoes feel unbearable. At Podiatry Medic, we see clients who have struggled for months — sometimes years — with recurring ingrowns.

So, what actually causes them?

Most Common Causes:

1. Improper Nail Cutting

One of the biggest causes is cutting the nail too short or rounding the corners. This encourages the skin to fold over the nail and trap it.

2. Tight Shoes or Boots

Shoes that press on the sides of the toes cause the nail edges to push into the skin — triggering inflammation and infection.

3. Genetic Nail Shape

Some people naturally have curved or fan-shaped nails that are more likely to grow inward.

4. Trauma or Repetitive Pressure

Dropping something on your toe or repeated impact from sports can cause changes in nail growth.

5. Underlying Infection or Fungal Nails

Thick, damaged nails from fungal infections are more likely to grow irregularly and dig into the surrounding skin.

If you’ve had more than one ingrown toenail in the past 6 months, it’s time to get it assessed professionally. We can offer permanent solutions so it doesn’t come back.