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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Ingrown toenails result when the nail grows into the flesh of your toe, often the big toe. Common causes include:

  • Wearing shoes that crowd your toenails
  • Cutting your toenails too short or not straight across
  • Injury to your toenail
  • Unusually curved toenails
References
  1. Richardson EG. Disorders of nails and skin. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115837490-3/0/1584/638.html?tocnode=55690799&fromURL=638.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50087-8_4366. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  2. Goldstein BG, et al. Paronychia, herpetic whitlow and ingrown toenails. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  3. Zuber TJ. Ingrown toenail removal. American Family Physician. 2002;65:2547.
  4. Foot care. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/foot-care.jsp. Accessed Jan 7, 2009.
  5. Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_feet/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 7. 2009.

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March 25, 2009

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