[Health Column] Causes and Treatment of Ingrown Toenails: Why Does the Side of the Big Toe Swell and Pain?

 

Hello! This is Director Han Hae-sol from Sangdong The Hill Anesthesiology and Pain Clinic. ✨

 

There are times when you experience a sharp, stabbing pain next to your big toe while walking, or feel discomfort from pressure on the same spot every time you wear shoes. At first, it is easy to assume that you trimmed your toenails slightly incorrectly or that it is due to your shoes.

 

but If the edge of your big toenail grows into the skin, causing recurring swelling and pain You can check for the possibility of an ingrown toenail.

 

The medical term for an ingrown toenail is 'ingrown nail.' Medical information on ingrown toenails from Seoul National University Hospital describes it as a condition in which a fingernail or toenail grows into the flesh, causing inflammation and pain, and advises that it commonly occurs in the big toe.

 

Today, I will explain step-by-step why ingrown toenails occur, what symptoms trigger them, and when treatment is necessary. 💡

 

 

1️⃣ How do the symptoms of an ingrown toenail begin?

It starts with a mild stinging sensation and can lead to swelling and discharge.

 

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail do not manifest as severe pain from the start. In the early stages, the skin at the edge of the toenail may become red or swollen, and it may feel like a stinging sensation when pressed.

 

Pain in the big toe may become more pronounced if you walk for a long time or wear shoes with a narrow toe box.

 

If the toenail continues to irritate the skin, swelling can worsen and lead to discharge or pus. As the inflammation grows, the surrounding skin may turn red, and walking as usual may become uncomfortable.

 

For this reason, some people wonder whether they should visit a hospital if the pain recurs. In such cases, rather than looking only at the shape of the toenail Which part is painful, whether there is swelling or discharge, and whether the pain worsens when wearing shoes or walking It is recommended to look into this together.

 

A word from the Director

"Whether the same spot repeatedly swells and hurts is a more important criterion than the fact that the toenail is bent."

 

2️⃣ What are the causes of ingrown toenails?

Habits and shoes that cause the edges of the toenails to constantly press against the skin have an impact.

 

There is no single cause for ingrown toenails. Various factors that cause the edges of the toenail to continuously press against the surrounding skin can play a role.

 

A representative example is The habit of cutting toenails too short or digging deep into the corners no see.

 

Cutting off the painful edge deeply may feel comfortable for the moment, but the remaining tip of the toenail can irritate the surrounding skin again as it grows back.

 

Shoes that tightly constrict the front of the toes can also have an impact. This is because repeated pressure on the big toe and toenail inside the shoe leads to continued irritation of the already sensitive skin.

 

 

3️⃣ How are ingrown toenails and toenail fungus different?

Ingrown toenails are characterized by pain and inflammation, while toenail fungus is centered on changes in color and thickness.

 

If your toenails thicken or change shape, it is easy to confuse them with toenail fungus. While both conditions can cause changes in the toenails, there are differences in the core symptoms.

 

division	Ingrown toenail	toenail fungus
Major changes	The edges of the toenails irritate the skin	Changes in nail color, thickness, and surface
Common symptoms	Pain, swelling, discharge	Discoloration, thickening, crumbling
Parts to check	Ingrown toenail and surrounding inflammation	Whether or not there is a fungal infection

 

While ingrown toenails are characterized by pain and inflammation, toenail fungus often manifests as noticeable changes such as the toenail turning yellow or white and thickening.

 

but There are also cases where the two diseases occur together. If changes in your toenails persist for a long time, it is best not to attribute them to just one cause.

 

 

4️⃣ How should I trim ingrown toenails and manage them in my daily life?

It is best not to dig deep, but to keep it straight so that the edges are visible.

 

When an ingrown toenail is painful, people often feel the urge to cut the edges of the nail deeper. However, cutting deeply into the sides of the toenail can actually cause the same area to become irritated again.

 

👣 It is best to keep your toenails straight so that the edges on both sides are visible outside the skin, and not too short.

 

👣 It is best to avoid cutting the tips of your toenails by digging them in deeply and rounding them, even if it causes pain.

 

You should also check your shoes. Rather than shoes that press hard on the front of your toes, shoes that do not excessively compress your toes can be helpful.

 

👣 If there is already discharge, pus, or severe swelling, it is best to avoid forcibly digging into or tearing the inside of the toenail at home.

 

A word from the Director

Cutting deeply for immediate relief usually makes the same spot hurt more a few weeks later.

 

5️⃣ When is treatment necessary for ingrown toenails?

If swelling and discharge recur or walking becomes difficult, a check-up is necessary.

 

If you only have mild pain and no severe inflammation, you can start by considering ways to reduce pressure on your toenails and skin and change your toenail care habits.

 

However, if the same area continues to swell and hurt, or if there is recurring discharge and pus, or if you experience discomfort even when walking or wearing shoes, you need to check if treatment appropriate for your current condition is necessary.

 

especially If you have a condition like diabetes that requires careful care for foot wounds It is important to carefully examine even small wounds or inflammation.

 

Rather than judging an ingrown toenail simply because the nail is curved, it is important to examine whether there is actually pain or inflammation in the surrounding skin.

 

Please carefully check if the side of your big toe repeatedly swells, if the pain worsens when walking, or if there is any discharge or pus.

 

In the clinic, we review the following criteria. It is also helpful to refer to them when assessing your condition at home.

 

👣 Whether swelling and pain in the same area recur for more than 2 weeks

 

👣 Does discharge or pus repeatedly come out and then subside?

 

👣 Has walking become so uncomfortable that it is difficult to wear your usual shoes?

 

👣 Have you ever experienced worsening pain after trimming your own toenails?

 

👣 Do you have any underlying conditions, such as diabetes, that may slow down foot wound healing?

 

If the number of applicable items increases, it is safer to have your current condition checked rather than simply waiting with lifestyle management. This is because even for the same ingrown toenail, the necessary measures vary depending on the degree of inflammation and the depth to which the nail has dug in.

 

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Q1. Why do ingrown toenails occur?

A. It can occur when the edges of the toenails irritate the skin due to habits such as cutting the toenails too short or trimming the sides deeply, or wearing shoes that compress the toes.

 

Q2. How do you distinguish between ingrown toenails and toenail fungus?

A. Ingrown toenails are characterized by pain, swelling, and inflammation, while the main symptoms of toenail fungus are changes in toenail color, thickness, and surface. Since both conditions can occur together, consultation with a specialist is necessary if symptoms persist for a long time.

 

Q3. How should I manage an ingrown toenail at home when it hurts?

A. It helps to avoid cutting your toenails too short, not digging deeply into the sides, and wearing shoes that do not compress your toes. If there is discharge or pus, do not try to dig it out yourself; professional consultation is necessary.

 

Q4. When is treatment necessary for ingrown toenails?

A. If you only have mild pain, it can be managed by improving your lifestyle, but if swelling, discharge, or pus recurs, or if the pain is severe enough to make walking difficult, treatment may be necessary.

 

🎯 Conclusion: Look for 'pain and inflammation' first, rather than the shape of the toenail.

 

📌 Key Summary

 

🔹 Ingrown toenails can cause recurring pain and swelling as the toenail irritates the skin.

🔹 Cutting your toenails too short or digging deeply into the sides can be the cause.

🔹 Ingrown toenails and toenail fungus differ in their symptoms and patterns of change.

🔹 Proper toenail care and shoe selection help alleviate symptoms.

🔹 Severe symptoms such as discharge or pus require consultation with a specialist.

 

⚠️ Please make sure to remember

Rather than cutting your toenails deeply every time pain occurs, checking your toenail care habits and shoe pressure together can be the first step in managing ingrown toenails. If symptoms recur, please consult a medical professional to assess your current condition.

 

 

Sangdong The Hill Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Clinic

Director Han Hae-sol

 

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Specialist

Completed internship at the National Police Hospital

Completed training in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the National Police Hospital

Training in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Asan Medical Center

Training at the University Hospital for Occupational Health (UOEH) in Japan

Vice Director of Jinjeop Orthopedics

Vice Director of OK Rehabilitation Medicine

Vice Director of Winners Rehabilitation Medicine

Regular member of the Korean Society of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Korean Pain Society TPI Training Completion

Regular member of the Korean Society of Sports Medicine

Regular member of the Korean Spine Pain Society

Member of the Korean Society of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

 

[ Major Medical Specialties ]

Obesity/Diet/Body Correction/Joints/Pain/Shingles