Health Tip: What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

There are a number of causes

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(HealthDay News) -- When a toenail grows down and pushes into the skin, it's known as ingrown. Usually, the big toe is affected, but it can happen on any toe.

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According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, here are possible causes for an ingrown toenail:

• Shoes that are too tight or too loose.
• Toenails that are trimmed too short.
• Toenails that are trimmed with the edges rounded.
• Having thick toenails or difficulty trimming them.
• Tearing a toenail rather than trimming it properly.
• Having very large toenails or naturally curved toenails.
• Injuring the toe, such as by stubbing it.

-- Diana Kohnle