Ingrown toenails are more than just a nuisance. For many people, it becomes a recurring and painful condition that interferes with daily life. While footwear choices, injuries, and poor nail-cutting habits are often to blame, there’s another piece of the puzzle that can’t be overlooked – genetics.
If ingrown toenails seem to “run in the family,” you’re not imagining it. Hereditary traits can play a major role in whether you’re prone to developing them.
For others who have repeated infections or unbearable pain, private ingrown toenail surgery in London is an option to bring lasting relief. But first, it is useful to know why genetics comes into play and what you can do to lower your risk.
Why Genetics Play a Role in Ingrown Toenails
Genetic connection boils down to physical characteristics passed down and inherited through family lineages. These characteristics can affect the growth of the nails and the reaction of the surrounding tissue. Some of the major factors inherited are:
- Nail form and thickness: Arched or abnormally wide nails tend to push into the surrounding skin.
- Toe shape: Specific toe shapes or sizes tend to apply more pressure on the nail borders naturally.
- Soft tissue traits: Certain individuals have inherited skin types that predispose them to inflammation or swelling.
- Gait patterns: Abnormalities in the way one walks, which in turn may be inherited, cause irregular pressure on the feet and nails.
When all these qualities come together, they create a condition for nails to grow into the skin instead of over it, and thereby provoke pain, swelling, and even infection.
Family History: What It Means for You
If your sibling or parent has an ingrown toenail, you are more likely to suffer the same problem. It doesn’t mean you will most definitely get them, but you are at a higher risk than others and must take extra care to prevent them.
Family history becomes particularly relevant if you:
- Observe the same nail formation as your family
- Develop recurring issues despite proper care of your nails
- Suffer recurrent infections after treatment
In such instances, the genetics are probably acting against you, so lifestyle changes will not suffice.
Lifestyle Factors That Exacerbate Genetic Risks
Even if genetics is a dominant factor, environmental reasons can accelerate or aggravate the issue. These are:
- Tight shoes: Piny shoes squeeze toes and push nails into their skin.
- Incorrect trimming: Trimming the nails too short or rounding off the ends promotes them to grow inwards.
- Injury: Sports trauma, stubbing, or dropping a heavy object on the toe can alter nail growth forever.
- Moisture and sweat: Humidity softens the skin and facilitates easier penetration by nails.
Knowing these causative factors is vital since they’re aspects that are within your control, although genetics is not something you can modify.
Preventive Care for At-Risk Individuals
If your family history indicates you’re at greater risk, prevention can save you from pain and frequent infections. Simple measures are:
- Trim straight across: Cut nails level, with the edges visible above the skin.
- Wear the proper shoes: Select shoes with sufficient space between the toes.
- Keep feet clean and dry: Wash daily and change socks frequently to prevent excessive moisture.
- Deal with underlying problems: Bunions, flat feet, or other structural issues may put strain on the nail. Insoles or podiatry treatment can sort this out.
- Watch closely: Right from the start of any redness or soreness, deal with the issue before it gets too serious.
When Surgery Is the Best Solution?
Conservative methods, such as soaking the foot, raising the nail edge with cotton, or applying antibiotic ointments, may suffice for intermittent, minor ingrown nails. But when genetics plays a repeated role, such measures merely offer temporary relief.
In such instances, surgical intervention is sometimes the best option. Some common procedures are:
- Partial avulsion of the nail: Removal of only the ingrown portion of the nail, usually followed by a chemical treatment to discourage regrowth in the affected area.
- Complete avulsion of the nail: Complete removal of the nail when it’s very severe or recurring.
- Matrixectomy: Permanent removal of the root of the nail in offending areas to prevent recurrence.
These are done under local anaesthetic in most cases, with fast recovery and low recurrence rates compared to over-the-counter treatments.
The Connection Between Heredity and Other Toe Problems
Interestingly, individuals who are susceptible to genetic ingrown toenails also see other inherited toe problems, including flat feet, bunions, or thick nails. This speaks to how genetics plays a role in the entire structure of the foot, rather than a specific issue.
In others, frequent ingrown toenails occur with other skin or nail problems. For example, a person with a past history of verrucae (plantar warts) may require treatment in a verruca removal clinic in London, as both problems can disrupt walking ease and everyday functioning.
Living Well with a Genetic Predisposition
Having a genetic predisposition does not equal being doomed to fight endlessly with ingrown toenails. It just means you need to be more vigilant with your care. Consider it preventive maintenance, just as maintaining regular dental cleanings if you’re predisposed to cavities.
Takeaways for long-term management are:
- Understand your family history and be mindful of early signs.
- Take preventive measures seriously, particularly around footwear and nail clipping.
- Take care of problems early before they become more serious.
- Accept that sometimes surgery is the best course of action to stop the cycle.
Conclusion
Genetics can predispose you to ingrown toenails, but your treatment choices control the extent to which they disrupt your life. Hereditary factors provide good clues about your individual risk. If you integrate preventive care with prompt treatment, you can remain active and comfortable without the aggravation of persistent infections.
When genetics causes ingrown toenails to be a recurring issue, professional assessment is worth considering. Conservative treatments can be effective, but the surgical procedure offers a more permanent solution when prevention is insufficient.