Why Your Ingrown Toenails Keep Coming Back + Treatment

When your ingrown toenail keeps coming back, it’s more than a small foot problem. It’s painful, annoying, and often disrupts simple things like walking, working, or sleeping. You may have tried soaking, trimming, or even surgery, but nothing seems to work long-term.

Let’s break it down and tell you how to permanently stop your ingrown toenail from coming back for good.

Why Does My Ingrown Toenail Keep Coming Back?

Your ingrown toenail keeps coming back for a reason. And if you don’t learn how to fix ingrown toenail root causes, it’s just going to keep coming back. What’s really causing it?

You’re Cutting Your Nails Wrong

Most people trim their toenails too short or curve the edges. This tells the nail to grow downward into the skin.

• Nails should always be trimmed straight across
• Cutting into corners makes it worse over time
• Even one bad trim can start the cycle

Your Shoes Are Too Tight

Shoes that pinch your toes force the nail into the side of the skin.

• High heels, pointed shoes, and narrow sneakers are all common offenders
• Constant pressure causes inflammation, which triggers more pain and swelling

It Runs in the Family

If your parents or siblings had ingrown toenails, you’re more likely to have them, too. Genetics plays a big role.

• Some nails grow more curved naturally
• Wider nails are also more prone to becoming ingrown

You’ve Injured the Toe

Even stubbing your toe can shift the nail root.

• Trauma changes the way the nail grows
• Repeated injuries (like from sports) make it worse over time

Fungal Nail Infections

Thick, brittle, or yellow nails often come from fungal infections. These can lead to abnormal nail growth.

• Thick nails dig deeper into the skin
• Infected nails grow unevenly and are harder to trim properly

Flat Feet, Bunions, or the Way You Walk

When your feet don’t move correctly, it puts more stress on your toes.

• This changes how the nail pushes against the skin
• Over time, it leads to constant pressure on one side of the nail

Sweat and Moisture

If your feet stay sweaty for long periods, the skin softens. This makes it easier for the nail to pierce the tissue.

• Tight socks and shoes trap moisture
• People with hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) are especially at risk

Your ingrown toenail keeps coming back if you don’t address these issues. Most people don’t realize how small habits add up.

How to Keep Ingrown Toenails from Coming Back?

You’ve had enough. It’s time for proper ingrown toenail treatments. Here’s what to do if your ingrown toenail keeps coming back into the skin.

Partial Nail Removal (Matrixectomy)

The procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia. First, the toe is completely numbed. Then, the side of the nail that keeps growing into the skin is removed. After that, the root of that nail section is treated with a chemical or a special tool to stop it from growing back.

You’ll still keep the rest of your nail, and it will look normal. This treatment is permanent for most patients. Healing usually takes a few days, and pain relief is often immediate. If your ingrown toenail keeps coming back, this is often the best long-term fix.

Full Nail Removal

In more advanced or severe cases, the entire nail may need to be taken off. This is usually recommended when the whole nail is thick, damaged, or repeatedly infected. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and is safe and quick. After the nail is removed, the area is kept clean and bandaged.

The nail may grow back thinner, or it may not grow back at all, depending on whether the matrix is treated. This treatment is less common but is sometimes the best option when partial treatments have failed.

Laser Treatment

Laser therapy is a newer option that targets the nail root using concentrated light energy. Your foot specialist uses the laser to destroy the section of the nail matrix that keeps producing the ingrown portion of the nail. It’s also useful if there’s a fungal infection, as the laser can kill fungus at the same time.

The procedure is quick and clean, with little bleeding and minimal downtime. Laser treatment may be a good option if your ingrown toenail keeps coming back and you want a modern, precise approach.

Nail Bracing

This non-surgical option is used for people with naturally curved or wide nails that continue to become ingrown. A small, thin brace is placed across the surface of the nail. Over time, it helps flatten the nail as it grows, reducing the chance of it digging into the skin. Nail bracing is painless and does not involve cutting or anesthesia. It requires follow-up and may take several weeks or months to be fully effective.

It’s a good option for those who want to avoid surgery or for patients who cannot undergo invasive treatment. However, it may not be enough for more serious or chronic cases.

Recurring Ingrown Toenails Permanent Treatment in Phoenix

At Foot and Ankle Specialty Centers, we don’t just treat toenails; we fix the real problem behind them. If your ingrown toenail keeps coming back, we’ll find out why and stop it.

We have experienced doctors in Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix who do this every day. Let us help.

So, stop Googling “podiatrist near me.” Book an appointment online, and let’s get rid of that pesky ingrown toenail.

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