Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of a nail curves into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. The good news: most cases are preventable with a few consistent habits. The biggest factors you can control are how you trim your nails, what shoes you wear, and how you manage moisture around your feet.
Why Some People Get Them More Than Others
Before changing your habits, it helps to know whether you’re starting at a disadvantage. Genetics play a real role. Nails that are naturally curved or fan-shaped are more likely to dig into the skin. Wider toes or nails that are large relative to the nail bed also increase risk. Flat feet and other inherited foot structures can put extra pressure on the toes, pushing skin against the nail edge during walking or running.
Men develop ingrown toenails about three times as often as women. Beyond genetics, the most common triggers are trimming nails too short, wearing tight shoes, and toe injuries from stubbing or repetitive impact during sports. You can’t change your nail shape, but you can address nearly every other risk factor.
How to Trim Your Toenails Correctly
Improper trimming is the single most common cause of ingrown toenails, and the fix is straightforward: cut straight across. Don’t round the corners or taper the edges to follow the curve of your toe. When you curve the cut, the nail edge is more likely to grow downward into the skin fold as it lengthens.
A few details make the process easier and safer:
- Soften first. Trim right after a bath or shower. If that’s not convenient, soak your feet in lukewarm water for a few minutes beforehand. Soft nails are less likely to crack or splinter unevenly.
- Use the right tool. Toenail clippers are wider and sturdier than fingernail clippers. They give you a cleaner, straighter cut across a thicker nail. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using clippers designed specifically for toenails.
- Leave some length. The nail should extend just past the tip of the skin beneath it. Cutting too short removes the protective overhang and lets the skin at the sides roll over the nail edge, trapping it as it grows out.
- Smooth the edges. After clipping, file any rough corners gently so they don’t snag on socks or catch on the skin fold.
If your nails are especially thick or difficult to cut, trimming after a longer soak (10 to 15 minutes) can help. People with poor eyesight or limited flexibility in their hands sometimes find it easier to have a podiatrist handle routine nail care.
Choosing Shoes That Don’t Crowd Your Toes
Tight shoes press the skin against the nail edge for hours at a time, essentially forcing an ingrown nail to develop. The fix is a shoe with a wide toe box, meaning enough room in the front for your toes to spread and wiggle without touching the sides or top of the shoe. When you try on shoes, you should be able to move all five toes freely.
Heels shift your body weight forward onto the toes, compressing them against the front of the shoe. Flat shoes or low heels reduce this pressure significantly. If you do wear heels, a wider base and lower height make a noticeable difference. Look for shoes made from breathable materials with cushioned insoles, and avoid pairs with interior seams or rough edges near the toe area that can rub against your nails repeatedly.
Athletic shoes deserve extra attention. Runners, soccer players, and anyone whose sport involves sudden stops or toe impacts should make sure there’s about a thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe. Repetitive trauma from a too-short shoe is one of the most common causes of ingrown nails in athletes.
Keep Your Feet Dry
Moisture softens the skin around your nails, making it easier for the nail edge to pierce through. This is why ingrown toenails are more common in people who sweat heavily during exercise or spend long hours in closed shoes.
Moisture-wicking socks made from merino wool or synthetic blends pull sweat away from the skin and keep your feet drier than cotton does. Changing socks midday can help if your feet tend to sweat a lot. Breathable shoe materials like mesh or leather also reduce moisture buildup compared to plastic or vinyl.
What to Do at the First Sign of Trouble
If you notice redness, tenderness, or mild swelling along the edge of a toenail, catching it early can keep it from getting worse. Soak your foot in warm water with Epsom salt for 10 to 15 minutes, twice a day for the first couple of days, then once a day until the irritation clears. The warm soak reduces swelling and softens the skin enough that the nail edge may free itself.
While it’s tempting, don’t try to dig the nail out or cut a V-shaped notch in the center of the nail (a common myth that doesn’t work). Wear open-toed shoes or sandals when possible to keep pressure off the area. If the irritation doesn’t improve within a few days, or if you see pus, notice the redness spreading, or feel severe pain, that’s a sign of infection that needs professional treatment.
Extra Care for Diabetes and Poor Circulation
If you have diabetes or any condition that reduces blood flow to your feet, ingrown toenails carry a higher risk of serious infection. Reduced circulation slows healing and makes it harder for your immune system to fight off bacteria in the toe.
Daily foot inspections are important. Check for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, and nail problems each day, since nerve damage from diabetes can mask pain that would otherwise alert you to a problem. Trim nails straight across, file the edges gently, and avoid cutting them too short. Many people with diabetes benefit from having a podiatrist trim their nails on a regular schedule rather than doing it at home, especially if they have any loss of sensation in their feet. Even a minor ingrown nail warrants professional attention rather than home treatment in this case.
Habits That Add Up Over Time
Preventing ingrown toenails isn’t about any single dramatic change. It’s a handful of small, consistent habits: trimming straight across every few weeks, wearing shoes that give your toes room, keeping your feet dry, and catching early signs of irritation before they progress. People with naturally curved nails or wide toes may need to be more vigilant, but the same principles apply. If you get ingrown toenails repeatedly despite good habits, a podiatrist can evaluate whether your nail shape or foot structure calls for a more targeted approach, such as a minor procedure to permanently narrow the nail.