6 Common Misconceptions About Ingrown Toenails

If you've ever dealt with an ingrown toenail, that sharp, throbbing pain where your nail digs into your skin can stop you in your tracks. Yet despite being a common issue, there are many misconceptions about these types of nails that only worsen the problem. That's why, in this article, we at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists will set the record straight on all things having to do with ingrown toenails.

Myth: You Should Dig Out the Corner of Your Nail

This is perhaps the most common and dangerous myth. While it's tempting to try and dig out that painful corner, doing so can push the nail deeper into the skin, create a larger wound, and increase your risk of infection.

You heard it here first: the correct way to trim your toenails is straight across without rounding the corners.

Myth: Ingrown Toenails Only Happen to People with Bad Hygiene

While good foot hygiene is always important, it's not the primary cause of ingrown toenails. The main culprits are improper nail trimming, wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow, or having a genetic predisposition to curved nails. Hygiene comes into play more to prevent infection once the nail has already started to dig in, but it doesn't cause the ingrown nail itself.

Myth: Kids Will Grow Out of Ingrown Toenails

Unfortunately, kids do not simply outgrow ingrown toenails. Children get them from outgrowing their shoes quickly, wearing tight athletic footwear, or from their naturally softer nails. If your child has an ingrown toenail, it's causing them pain and is an open invitation for infection.

Myth: You Can Treat an Ingrown Toenail at Home

For very mild cases, warm soaks and gentle lifting of the nail might offer temporary relief. However, if there's significant pain, redness, swelling, or any sign of pus, home remedies simply won’t cut it. Trying aggressive self-treatment can lead to a severe infection, especially if you have diabetes, poor circulation, or nerve damage.

Myth: It's Just a Painful Nuisance

While often manageable, an ingrown toenail is not always benign. If left untreated, especially when infected, it can lead to a serious bacterial infection called cellulitis, which can spread rapidly up the leg. In people with compromised immune systems or circulatory issues, an untreated infection from an ingrown toenail can even lead to bone infection, or in rare cases, amputation.

Myth: Removing the Whole Nail Fixes the Problem Permanently

Removing the entire toenail is rarely the permanent solution for stubborn ingrown toenails. If the nail-growing cells are not addressed, the new nail will simply grow back in the same problematic way. For a lasting solution, a podiatrist often performs a partial nail removal combined with a procedure that permanently removes a small portion of the nail-producing tissue. This prevents that specific edge from growing back in.

For any podiatric concerns you’re dealing with, come see Dr. Hubert Lee and the team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists for guidance and advice. You can schedule an appointment online or call today at 425-455-0936.