How can I tell if I have an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown nail forms when the edge of the nail grows down into the skin of the toe. It can cause severe pain, swelling and redness in the surrounding area.

Ingrown toenails are caused by a number of factors. One of these is ill fitting shoes. This causes increased pressure on the toe, resulting in the formation of an ingrown toenail. Another common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting nails incorrectly. When the nail is cut too short, or the edges are rounded rather than cut straight across, the nail may curl downward and grow into the skin.

Some signs that indicate an ingrown toenail are:

Swollen, red or tender areas of skin around the toenail.
The presence of pus around the toenail.
A nail appearing to be growing underneath the skin.

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