Saturday, May 9, 2009

What causes ingrown toenails?

In all cases, the condition arises when nails grows into the flesh of the toe. The most common causes of ingrown toenails include:

- Wearing tight fitting shoes (eg high heels)
- Cutting toe nails too short
- Cutting toe nails unevenly
- Injuring skin during clipping of toe nail
- Having curved toe nails
- Anatomical factors
- Repetitive nail trauma
- Genetics
- Excess sweating
- Poor foot hygiene

Other possible risk factors include broaden nail folds and thinner, flatter nails.

Medical disorders that are associated with ingrown toe nails include diabetes, obesity, thyroid, liver and kidney disease- all these disorders are associated with swelling of the foot.

Can an ingrown toe nail cause complications?

Sure, if left untreated, the infection can spread to underlying tissues and bone. This can cause more pain and spread of infection.

In diabetics an ingrown toenail can lead to serious limb threatening complications
Individual who smoke and have poor circulation in their feet can also develop serious infections.

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