Your toenails likely hurt due to a few common reasons such as ingrown toenails, fungal infections, or trauma to the nail or surrounding area. Pain can be accompanied by redness, swelling, drainage, or discoloration.
Common Causes of Toenail Pain:
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Ingrown Toenails: This is a frequent culprit. An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin.
- Symptoms: Pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection along the side of the toenail.
- Causes: Improper trimming (cutting nails too short or rounded), tight shoes, injury, or naturally curved nails.
- Solutions: Soaking the foot in warm water, gently lifting the nail edge with cotton, wearing wider shoes, and, in severe cases, seeing a podiatrist for removal of the offending nail portion.
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Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis): A fungal infection of the nail.
- Symptoms: Thickening, discoloration (yellow, white, or brown), brittleness, and sometimes pain.
- Causes: Fungi entering through cracks in the nail or surrounding skin. Common in warm, moist environments.
- Solutions: Over-the-counter antifungal creams, prescription oral medications, or laser treatment (consult a doctor).
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Trauma or Injury: Stubbing your toe, dropping something on your foot, or repetitive pressure (like in running) can injure the nail bed.
- Symptoms: Pain, bruising under the nail (subungual hematoma), and potentially nail detachment.
- Causes: Accidents, sports activities, or ill-fitting shoes.
- Solutions: Rest, ice, elevation, pain relievers. A doctor may need to drain a subungual hematoma to relieve pressure.
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Other Potential Causes:
- Subungual Hematoma: A collection of blood under the nail, usually from an injury.
- Paronychia: An infection of the skin around the nail.
- Nail psoriasis: A skin condition that can affect the nails.
- Tight Shoes: Constant pressure from shoes can cause pain.
- Underlying medical conditions: In rare cases, certain medical conditions can affect the nails.
When to See a Doctor:
If your toenail pain is severe, accompanied by signs of infection (pus, spreading redness, fever), or doesn't improve with home treatment, consult a podiatrist or your primary care physician. Also, if you have diabetes or circulatory problems, you should seek professional medical advice promptly for any foot issues.
In summary, toenail pain is often caused by ingrown toenails, fungal infections, or injuries. Addressing these issues with proper care and, if necessary, professional medical attention can relieve the discomfort.
