Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails often are the result of trimming your toenails too short, particularly on the sides of your big toes. While they are common, ingrown toenails can be painful.

When trimming your nails, avoid tapering the corners so that the nail curves with the shape of your toe. The sides of the nail will curl down and dig into your skin. Shoes that are too tight or short also may cause ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails start out hard, swollen and tender, and later, may become sore, red and infected. Your skin may also start to grow over the ingrown nail.