Discovering that your toenails are growing in the wrong direction can be frustrating and scary. For instance, if your toenails are growing toward the side instead of straight, your next question would be, why is my toenails growing sideways?
When your toenail starts growing sideways, it can result from your footwear, hygiene, etc. Anyway, you don’t have to be scared as there are remedies to toenails growing sideways. In this post, I will be explaining why your toenails grow sideways and what you can do in this situation.
- What Do Toenails Growing Sideways Mean?
- Why Do My Toenails Grow Sideways?
- Can You Fix Toenail That Is Growing Sideways?
- Home Treatment For Toenail Growing Sideways
- How Do I Prevent My Toenail From Growing Sideways?
- Can I Make My Toenails Grow Straight?
- Should I See The Doctor For Toenails Growing Sideways?
- To Wrap Up
What Do Toenails Growing Sideways Mean?
Toenails growing sideways means the edge of the toenail curves and starts growing into the surrounding skin rather than growing straight out.
This can result in discomfort, pain, and potential complications, and it is typically caused by factors such as improper nail trimming, tight footwear, injury, genetics, infection, abnormal nail shape, or underlying medical conditions.
Ingrown toenails may require appropriate care and treatment to alleviate discomfort and prevent recurrent sideways toenail growth.
Why Do My Toenails Grow Sideways?
There are several reasons why toenails grow sideways. Some of these factors are controllable, while others are due to genetic influence. I will provide these reasons so you can better understand why your toenails are growing sideways.
1. Improper nail trimming
One common cause of ingrown toenails is improper nail trimming. Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the corners can encourage the nails to grow into the skin.
2. Tight footwear
The type of footwear you wear goes a long way to determining the overall health of your toenail and also influence the way they grow. Wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes can exert pressure on your toenails, pushing them into the surrounding skin and causing them to grow abnormally.
3. Nail Injury or trauma
Nail injury or constant nail trauma can also be the reason why your toenail is growing sideways. Any injury to the toenail, such as stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on it, can disrupt the regular growth pattern and lead to sideways growth.
4. Genetics
Another reason your toenails grow sideways might be the influence of genes inherited from your predecessor. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to ingrown toenails. If your family has a history of this condition, you may be more prone to it.
5. Bacteraia infection
Infections around the toenail can cause swelling and inflammation, pushing the nail to grow sideways as it attempts to break through the infected area. So, your toenail might grow sideways due to the presence of infection around your toenail.
6. Abnormal nail shape
Another reason I discovered that causes ingrown nails is just the natural body structure. Specific individuals have naturally curved toenails, making them more susceptible to ingrown nails.
7. Medical conditions
If you have any underlying aliment that affects how nails grow, it might as well trigger ingrow nails. Underlying medical conditions like fungal infections or nail disorders can also lead to sideways toenails.
Toenails growing sideways can be uncomfortable painful, and may lead to complications such as infection. Addressing the underlying causes and seeking proper care, often from a podiatrist or foot specialist, is essential to alleviate discomfort and prevent recurrent sideways toenail growth.
Can You Fix Toenail That Is Growing Sideways?
Ingrown toenails can often be corrected and managed with proper care and, in some cases, professional treatment. You can try home care measures to encourage the toenail to grow correctly for mild cases.
If the ingrown toenail is severe, recurrent, or infected, or home care measures are ineffective, seek professional care from a podiatrist or foot specialist.
Home Treatment For Toenail Growing Sideways
Treatment for a toenail growing sideways, also known as an ingrown toenail, depends on the severity of the condition. If you discover that your toenails are developing sideways, try the following home remedies before consulting a podiatrist.
- Soak your foot in warm, soapy water for 15-20 minutes daily to reduce inflammation and soften the skin around the ingrown nail.
- Gently lift the edge of the ingrown nail using a sanitized nail file or an ingrown toenail lifter.
- Place a small piece of clean, waxed dental floss or cotton under the lifted nail edge to encourage proper nail growth away from the skin.
- Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and cover the area with a sterile bandage to prevent infection.
- Wear comfortable, open-toed shoes to reduce pressure on the affected toe.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
The podiatrist may perform a minor in-office procedure to remove the ingrown portion of the nail after numbing the toe.
A partial nail removal (partial matrix ectomy) may be recommended to prevent the ingrown toenail from recurring. If an infection is present, the healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics.
How Do I Prevent My Toenail From Growing Sideways?
Stopping your toenails from growing sideways and preventing ingrown ones involves proper nail care and avoiding common triggers. Here are steps you can take to help prevent sideways toenail growth:
- Trim your toenails straight across, avoiding rounded corners. This prevents the edges from digging into the surrounding skin. Use a quality nail clipper and avoid cutting them too short.
- If you have rough or sharp edges after trimming, use a nail file to smooth them gently. Be careful not to file too deeply into the corners.
- Wear well-fitting shoes with adequate toe room. Avoid tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes that compress your toes and push the nails into the skin.
- Protect your toes from trauma, as injuries can disrupt the natural growth pattern of toenails.
- Keep your feet clean and dry, as fungal infections can contribute to ingrown toenails. Wash your feet regularly, dry them thoroughly, and use antifungal powders if necessary.
- If you participate in sports or activities that put your feet at risk of injury, consider wearing protective footwear to minimize trauma to the toenails.
- Avoid sharing personal nail tools like clippers, cuticle pushers, etc., or sterilize them to prevent cross-contamination of infection from other people.
- Refrain from biting your toenails or picking at the skin around them, as this can damage the nail and encourage sideways growth.
Can I Make My Toenails Grow Straight?
If you’re concerned about the shape of your toenails, you may wonder if it’s possible to make them grow straight. While you cannot change the natural form or direction of your toenails, there are steps you can take to encourage healthy growth and reduce the likelihood of ingrown toenails or nails growing in a way that causes discomfort.
Ensure you properly trim your nails, avoid wearing ill-fitted footwear, maintain good foot hygiene, protect your toes from trauma, and consult a podiatrist or foot specialist. They can assess your condition and provide guidance or treatment as needed.
While you cannot change the inherent shape of your toenails, following these practices can help ensure that your toenails thrive, reducing the risk of issues like ingrown toenails and encouraging them to grow straighter.
Should I See The Doctor For Toenails Growing Sideways?
If you have toenails growing sideways, although you can try some of the home remedies I mentioned earlier, it’s still a good idea to seek medical attention, especially in the following situations:
1. Pain and discomfort
If your sideways-growing toenail is causing you pain, discomfort, or signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional. These symptoms may indicate an illness or a severe ingrown toenail that requires treatment.
2. Recurrent ingrown toenails
If you’ve had multiple episodes of ingrown toenails, or if the condition keeps returning despite your best efforts to manage it at home, it’s advisable to see a podiatrist or foot specialist. They can assess the situation and guide on preventing future occurrences.
3. Inability to self-manage
If you find it challenging to address the ingrown toenail issue on your own or if your attempts at home care aren’t improving the condition, it’s a sign that you should seek professional help.
4. Underlying health conditions
If you have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or circulation problems, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider for toenail issues, as they may be more prone to complications.
5. Severe ingrown toenails
In cases of severe ingrown toenails or those affecting your mobility or daily activities, professional intervention may be necessary to resolve the issue.
A podiatrist or foot specialist can evaluate the condition, provide appropriate treatment, and offer guidance on preventing future sideways toenail growth or ingrown toenails. Seeking timely medical attention can help alleviate discomfort and prevent complications associated with ingrown toenails.
To Wrap Up
If you have ever wondered why your toenails are sideways, there are several reasons why you have an ingrown nail, such as how you trim your toenails, the type of footwear you wear, your hygiene, etc., but they can be prevented.
It’s crucial to address sideways toenail growth promptly to prevent complications such as infection and pain. Home remedies like warm soaks and gently lifting the ingrown edge can provide temporary relief. Still, it’s advisable to seek professional help from a podiatrist or foot specialist for persistent or severe cases.
They can recommend treatments ranging from minor procedures to surgical removal of the ingrown portion of the nail, ensuring your toenail grows back correctly and without discomfort.
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