Am I At Risk Of Getting Ingrown Toenail?

Do you cut your toenails too short or not straight across?

Do you have irregular, curved toenails?

Do you wear footwear that place a lot of pressure on the big toes (socks and stockings that are too tight or shoes that are too tight, narrow, or flat for your feet)?

Do you have a toenail injury, including stubbing your toe, dropping something heavy on your foot, or kicking a ball repeatedly?

Do you have poor posture?

Do you have improper foot hygiene, such as not keeping your feet clean or dry?

Do you have family members who have a problem with ingrown toenails?

Are you engaged in activities in which you repeatedly kick an object or put pressure on your feet for long periods of time, such as ballet, football, kickboxing or soccer?

Do you have foot or toe deformities, such as bunions, hammertoes, and flat foot?

Do you have any of the fallowing conditions: obesity, diabetes, arthritis, edema of the lower extremities, or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the feet)?

Do you have fungus infection of the nails (onychomycosis)?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail is a painful condition in which the edges or corners of the toenail grows into the toe. Anyone can develop an ingrown toenail. If the problem is not congenital, there are several ways to prevent ingrown nails. First of all, the toenails should be cut straight across, without narrowing or rounding the corners. Also, the nails should not be too short. Proper foot hygiene is extremely important. The feet should always be clean and dry. When buying shoes, be sure to choose comfortable shoes with enough space for your toes.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail is a common condition in which a part of your toenail grows into your toe. An ingrown toenail is often accompanied by redness, swelling and pain. As the nail penetrates the skin of the thumb, there is a possibility for bacteria to enter and cause an infection. Ingrown toenails are often the result of toe injuries. If your job puts you at risk of foot injuries, be sure to wear protective footwear such as steel-toe boots. Ingrown toenails affect men and women equally, and it can occur multiple times during life.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the sides or corners of your toenail grows into the surrounding skin. An ingrown toenail mostly affects your big toe, causing pain and discomfort. Athletes and adolescents who are actively involved in sports are prone to ingrown nails. In addition to the fact that their toes are exposed to repeated injuries, they also sweat a lot, so that the toenail can easily penetrate into the sweaty softened skin. Also, toenails thicken with age, so older people have a higher risk of ingrown toenails.