Curved toenails, often appearing thickened or distorted, can cause notable discomfort. This condition occurs when the nail plate curls or arcs, sometimes pressing into the surrounding skin. This irritation and pain often prompt individuals to seek solutions.
Why Toenails Curve
Toenails can curve due to a combination of internal and external factors that disrupt their natural growth. Genetics can play a role, with some individuals inheriting a predisposition to a more curved nail matrix or a narrower nail bed, which can encourage inward curling. As people age, changes in nail growth rate and contour can also contribute to increased curvature.
External pressures also significantly influence toenail curvature. Ill-fitting footwear, such as shoes that are too narrow or pointed, can exert continuous pressure, forcing nails to grow abnormally. Repetitive trauma, like that experienced by athletes, can also lead to deformities such as thickening and curving. Improper nail trimming techniques, such as cutting nails too short or rounding the edges, can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
Specific forms include involuted nails, where the nail edges pinch the skin, and pincer nails, characterized by an exaggerated transverse curvature.
Managing Curved Toenails at Home
Effective at-home management of curved toenails centers on consistent and proper foot care practices to alleviate pressure and encourage healthy nail growth. Trim toenails straight across, ensuring they are not cut too short. This technique prevents the corners from digging into the skin and reduces the likelihood of ingrowth. Avoid rounding the edges, as this can encourage the nail to grow into the surrounding flesh.
Regular foot hygiene is important. Keeping the feet clean and dry helps prevent conditions that can exacerbate toenail curvature, such as fungal infections. After washing, ensure feet and nails are thoroughly dried, especially between the toes. Applying a moisturizing cream to nails and cuticles after trimming can help maintain nail health and prevent excessive dryness.
Selecting appropriate footwear is important for preventing and managing curved toenails. Choose shoes that offer ample space in the toe box, allowing toes to splay comfortably. Properly sized shoes reduce pressure on the toenails, minimizing the risk of abnormal growth and irritation. Look for shoes with good cushioning and support.
For minor discomfort, gently filing the edges of the nail can help smooth rough spots. If the nail is mildly pressing into the skin, soaking the foot in lukewarm salt water for 5-10 minutes once or twice daily can help soften the skin and ease discomfort. After soaking, carefully placing a small piece of cotton or gauze under the nail edge can help lift it slightly, guiding its growth away from the skin. This should only be done if there is no significant pain or signs of infection.
When Professional Care is Needed
While home care can alleviate mild symptoms, certain signs indicate professional medical attention is necessary. Persistent pain not improving with at-home measures suggests the problem may be progressing or is more severe. Redness, swelling, or pus around the toenail are clear indicators of an infection, which requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment.
Difficulty walking or engaging in daily activities due to toenail pain warrants a visit to a healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist. If the toenail appears significantly thickened, discolored, or deformed, a professional can accurately diagnose the underlying cause and rule out other conditions. Individuals with certain health conditions, like diabetes or circulatory problems, should seek professional care even for minor toenail issues due to an increased risk of complications.
Medical Solutions for Curved Toenails
When at-home measures are insufficient, healthcare professionals offer various medical solutions. A podiatrist may begin with conservative treatments, including specialized trimming and filing techniques to reshape the nail and reduce pressure. For involuted or pincer nails, nail bracing systems, such as the Onyfix nail correction system, can gently and gradually flatten curvature. These non-surgical methods aim to correct the nail’s growth pattern without invasive procedures.
If conservative treatments prove ineffective or if the condition is severe and recurring, surgical interventions might be considered. One common procedure is a partial nail avulsion, where a portion of the nail that is growing into the skin is removed. This is often performed under local anesthetic to numb the toe. For cases of chronic or severely deformed nails, a complete nail avulsion, involving the removal of the entire nail, may be recommended.
Following nail removal, the podiatrist may treat the nail matrix (the tissue at the base of the nail responsible for its growth) with a chemical like phenol or a laser. This process, known as matrixectomy, helps prevent the regrowth of the problematic portion or the entire nail, providing a long-term solution to severe curvature. The choice of treatment depends on the specific type and severity of the curved toenail, as well as the patient’s overall health.