Poorly fitting shoes are the most common underlying cause of ingrown toenails, but oftentimes people aren’t aware of the ways in which their shoes are putting their toenails at risk. In today’s blog, we’re going to talk a closer look at some of the shoe features and designs that can put your feet at risk of developing an ingrown toenail.
What Shoes Increase Ingrown Toenail Risk?
We always mention that you should put your shoes in footwear that fits properly if you’re hoping to avoid an ingrown toenail, but what exactly does that mean. It typically means that you should strive to find a comfortable and supportive shoe, but it also involves avoiding some of these footwear features.
Very Elevated Heels – When the heel of your foot is elevated, excess pressure gets placed on the front of your foot. This extra stress on your toe box can alter the natural growth of your nail bed and contribute to the formation of an ingrown toenail.
Narrow Toe Box – Having a lower heel isn’t the only thing you need to look for in a shoe to help protect against ingrown toenail formation. If your toe box is particularly narrow or comes to a point, it can put pressure on your toes and push your toe joints out of a natural alignment. Eventually, this pressure can contribute to ingrown toenail formation or bunion onset.
Stiff/Rigid Shoes – The material of your shoe is also important. If your shoes are made from rigid or non-flexible materials, they won’t be great at accommodating natural movement. This can lead to inconsistent pressure points on or around the nail bed when moving, increasing your risk of an ingrown toenail.
Not Breathable – You also want to choose a shoe that has good airflow and breathability. If your shoes are too tight or aren’t breathable, your foot may be stuck in a damp and moist environment for an extended period. This moisture can soften the skin around the nail bed, making it more susceptible to being altered by a growing toenail.
Overly Tight – Finally, if your shoes are not the right size, they may increase your risk of an ingrown toenail. Shoes that are too tight will put extra pressure on your toe box and nailbed, and over time this prolonged pressure can cause an ingrown toenail to form.
