Sophia Delgado
Toenail pain can be caused by a variety of factors, from injuries to infections. It can develop quickly after an injury or trauma, or more gradually if an ingrown nail or infection is to blame. Ingrown toenails, which occur when the nail plate of a toe begins to grow into the surrounding skin, are a common cause of toenail pain. Toenail fungal infections can also cause pain, with symptoms including discolouration or thickening of the toenail, indentations or irregularities on the nail's surface, and the nail splitting in two or separating from the nail bed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Ingrown toenails, fungal infection, trauma, hangnails, injury |
| Symptoms | Discolouration, thickening, indentations, irregularities, redness, puffiness, drainage, lesions |
| Treatment | Physical examination by a healthcare provider, antifungal medication |
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What You'll Learn
Ingrown toenails
Toenail pain can be caused by a number of issues, including ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis) occur when the nail plate of a toe begins to grow into the surrounding skin (called the periungual fold) on either side of it. Ingrown toenails most commonly affect the big toe, but they can affect any toenail. Ingrown toenails can be caused by injuries, such as stubbing your toe or dropping something on it, or by repetitive microtrauma, like the toe rubbing against the inside of a narrow shoe over an extended period of time.
A healthcare provider will examine the toenail for redness, puffiness, drainage, or lesions in the surrounding skin when diagnosing an ingrown toenail. They will also look for signs and symptoms of fungal infection, which can cause toenail pain and is characterised by discoloration or thickening of the toenail, with many turning a yellow or brownish hue.
If you are experiencing toenail pain, it is important to see a healthcare provider, especially if the pain is intense or getting progressively worse, or if you have a condition that affects circulation or healing, such as neuropathy, diabetes, or peripheral artery disease.
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Toenail trauma
Toenail pain can be caused by ingrown toenails, which occur when the nail plate of a toe begins to grow into the surrounding skin. Ingrown nails most commonly affect the big toe, but they can affect any toenail. Toenail fungus can also cause toenail pain, with symptoms including discolouration or thickening of the toenail, often turning a yellow or brownish hue. Fungal infections may also cause the toenail to split in two or begin to separate from the nail bed.
If you are experiencing toenail pain, it is important to see a healthcare provider, especially if the pain is intense or getting progressively worse. A healthcare provider will be able to examine the toenail for signs of infection or other issues. If you have a condition that affects circulation or healing, such as neuropathy, diabetes, or peripheral artery disease, it is especially important to seek medical attention for any foot or toe pain.
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Toenail fungal infection
Toenail pain can be caused by a number of conditions, including ingrown toenails, trauma, and fungal infections. In this article, we will focus on toenail fungal infections and how to treat them.
Fungal infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications, such as creams, ointments, or oral medications. It is important to keep the infected area clean and dry, and to avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes or socks that can trap moisture and create an environment for the fungus to thrive.
If the infection is severe or does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, it is important to see a healthcare provider. They may prescribe stronger antifungal medications or recommend other treatments, such as laser therapy or surgical removal of the nail.
To prevent toenail fungal infections, it is important to practise good foot hygiene, including keeping your feet clean and dry, trimming your toenails regularly, and wearing shoes that fit properly and allow your feet to breathe.
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Toenail pain after an injury
Depending on the severity of the injury, a toenail trauma may also partially lift the nail from the nail bed or cause it to fall off completely. Toenail pain that occurs after a trauma should be examined promptly by a healthcare provider, especially if it is accompanied by uncontrolled bleeding or if another area of the toe or foot is also injured. Pain that is intense or getting progressively worse should also be evaluated to ensure it is appropriately treated.
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Hangnails
Toenail pain can be caused by a number of issues, including ingrown toenails, fungal infections, trauma, and hangnails. Ingrown toenails occur when the nail plate of a toe begins to grow into the surrounding skin, and they most commonly affect the big toe. Toenail fungal infections are characterised by discolouration or thickening of the toenail, with many turning a yellow or brownish hue. Trauma to a toenail can cause pain to develop in the region, and this can be the result of an acute injury, like stubbing your toe, or a repetitive microtrauma, like the toe rubbing against the inside of a narrow shoe over an extended period of time.
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Frequently asked questions
Toenail pain can be caused by a number of things, including ingrown toenails, fungal infections, trauma or injury.
Ingrown toenails occur when the nail plate of a toe begins to grow into the surrounding skin. Ingrown toenails are usually found on the big toe, but can affect any toenail.
The most common symptom of a fungal infection is discolouration or thickening of the toenail, with many turning a yellow or brownish hue.
If you have toenail trauma, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. This is especially important if the pain is intense or getting worse, or if another area of the toe or foot is also injured.
Toenail pain can be caused by redness, puffiness, drainage or lesions in the surrounding skin.
