What's the matter with the big toe nail growing into the flesh

The role of toenails for humans may seem insignificant, but in fact they play a very important role. They can stabilize the body and improve walking stability. However, toenails may become diseased if they are affected by external forces for a long time. For example, most people have experienced the phenomenon of the big toe nail growing into the flesh. So, what is going on with the big toe nail growing into the flesh?

Ingrown toenails are very painful foot problems. They occur when the outer edge, inner edge or side corner of the toenail plate becomes embedded in the skin of the nail groove, causing local pain. When the nail edge breaks through the skin, bacterial invasion can lead to paronychia. Improper trimming of the nail is only one of the causes. It is more common on the inner side of the big toe.

1. Improper nail trimming

This is one of the most common causes of the disease. If the side edges of the nails are not trimmed evenly but are trimmed too short and too deep, the side edges of the nails will be inserted into the periungual tissue like "hard thorns".

2. Improper wearing of shoes

Ingrown toenails are extremely rare in people who do not wear shoes. The most likely explanation is that the toenail is not subject to external pressure and is restricted by the shoe upper when wearing shoes. The big toe is squeezed toward the second toe, creating pressure on the outside of the toenail, while the shoe itself compresses the inside of the toenail. This external pressure presses the nail fold against the sharp edge of the toenail formed after improper trimming, causing local skin ulcers and bacteria and fungi on the skin surface to enter the open wound.

3. Ingrown nail injury

The nail plate may be torn after being kicked or stepped on by others, causing the side edge of the nail plate to be closer to the soft tissue of the nail groove and forming an ingrown nail, which is more common in young students.

4. Other factors of ingrown toenails

Congenital local malformations, such as obvious hallux valgus, nail dystrophy, pachyonychia, or onychomycosis. Some people also believe that the curvature and axis of the toenail are related to ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenail disease is also related to occupation, and is more common in people who work in standing service occupations, the construction industry, or ballet dancers, athletes, etc.