What Causes Toenails to Point Up?
Toenails that are growing in an upward direction can be caused by a variety of conditions. While sometimes it's just the natural shape of the nail, in other cases it may signal an underlying issue that requires treatment. Here are some of the most common causes of toenails that point up.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail is one of the most common reasons for a toenail to start growing upward. This occurs when the edges of the nail grow into the surrounding skin, resulting in pain, redness, swelling, and infection in severe cases.
Ingrown toenails are often caused by improper nail trimming, but wearing tight shoes and participating in repetitive motions like running can also increase the risk. The upward pressure causes the nail to grow into the skin rather than straight out.
Treatment for ingrown toenails includes soaking the feet, using topical antibiotics, and properly trimming the nails. In severe cases, a minor surgical procedure may be done to fully remove part of the nail and prevent recurrences.
Fungal Infections
A fungal infection, known medically as onychomycosis, can also cause the toenail to grow in an irregular upward direction. The most common cause is a fungus called Trichophyton rubrum.
Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist environments like inside shoes and socks. They cause the nail to become thickened and discolored, taking on a yellow, brown, or white appearance. As the infection progresses, nails can become brittle and distorted.
Topical antifungal creams may help in mild cases of fungus. Oral medications or nail removal may be necessary for more stubborn fungal toenail infections. Keeping the feet clean and dry can help prevent recurrence.
Trauma
Physical trauma to the toenail can alter its growth pattern, causing it to turn up on one side. Stubbing the toe, dropping something on the nail, or injuring it during sports are common ways this can happen.
Usually, the nail will resume a normal growth pattern after the initial injury heals. But if the trauma resulted in permanent damage to the nail root or nail bed, the upward growth may persist.
Using padding and protective footwear can help prevent traumatic toenail injuries. See a podiatrist if pain, swelling, or discoloration persist.
Nail Psoriasis
Nail psoriasis is a condition that affects some people with psoriasis of the skin. It causes pitting, crumbling, thickening, and abnormal growth of the nails.
With nail psoriasis, the toenails often develop an uneven surface and can point upward. There may also be yellow-red spots or streaks on the nails known as salmon patches.
Topical steroid creams directly on the nails can help treat nail psoriasis. Injections, phototherapy, and oral medications may also be used in stubborn cases. Keeping nails trimmed short can minimize symptoms.
Long Toenails
Overly long toenails, especially on the big toe, can appear to turn upward at the tips. This is simply because they have grown beyond the end of the toe and are no longer flat against the ground.
Trimming overlong nails straight across every few weeks will eliminate their upward bend. Be careful not to trim too short, which increases ingrown toenail risk. Using toenail clippers with a straight edge can help cut nails properly.
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, an upward pointing toenail is nothing to worry about and can be managed with good foot care habits. But it's a good idea to see a podiatrist if:
- The nail continues growing upward despite trimming.
- There are persistent symptoms like pain, swelling, oozing, foul smells, or thick discharge.
- Discoloration, crumbling, or detachment of the nail occurs.
- There are any signs of infection like redness, heat, or pus.
- You have diabetes or a compromised immune system.
- Home treatment does not resolve the problem.
A podiatrist can determine if an underlying condition is causing the nails to point upward. Early treatment can help resolve issues before they become more serious infections or permanent nail deformities.
Tips for Preventing Upward Growing Toenails
While you can't always prevent toenails from pointing upward, the following tips can reduce the risk of many common causes:
- Trim nails straight across on a regular basis.
- Avoid tight shoes and socks that put pressure on toes.
- Treat athlete's foot and other fungal infections quickly.
- Disinfect pedicure tools and avoid cutting cuticles.
- Dry feet thoroughly after bathing or swimming.
- Wear protective footwear for sports and strenuous activity.
- See a podiatrist for proper ingrown toenail treatment.
- Manage chronic conditions like psoriasis.
When Upward Toenails Indicate a Health Problem
While a toenail pointing upward is rarely cause for serious concern, some health conditions can manifest with distorted nail growth:
Diabetes
People with diabetes often have slower nail growth. Fungal infections are also more common. This combination can lead to thickened, distorted toenails that point upward.
Controlling blood sugar reduces the risks of diabetic foot complications. Seeking early treatment for nail conditions can prevent them from worsening.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Poor circulation from peripheral artery disease causes characteristic changes in the appearance of toenails. They may be slow growing, brittle, distorted, or detached from the nail bed.
Treating the underlying circulatory issues can improve blood flow to the extremities and allow nails to grow in normally. Quitting smoking and proper foot care is also important.
Skin Cancer
In rare cases, a pigmented dark streak down the nail can signal subungual melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Upward nail growth may also occur as the cancer spreads.
See a dermatologist immediately if you notice a pigmented nail streak, especially if it seems to be growing toward the cuticle. Early detection and treatment are key to better outcomes with melanoma.
The Takeaway
There are many benign causes of toenails that point upward, but some warrant medical care. Seek evaluation if you have persistent pain, changes in nail texture or color, or risk factors like diabetes or poor circulation.
With proper nail hygiene and prompt treatment of underlying conditions, you can get upward growing toenails back on track.
FAQs
What causes toenails to grow upward?
Common causes include ingrown toenails, fungal infections, trauma, nail psoriasis, overly long nails, and underlying health conditions like diabetes. The nail grows upward due to pressure from the skin or distortion of the nail bed and cuticle.
How can I tell if my upward growing toenail is just a shape issue or something more concerning?
Look for additional symptoms like pain, swelling, redness, drainage, foul odors, nail detachment, thickening, crumbling, or color changes. Persistent changes or issues are more likely to need medical evaluation.
Is it bad for toenails to point up?
Mild upward pointing that occurs naturally based on nail shape is not harmful in itself. But if it is associated with infection, embedded nails, or chronic foot problems, it can lead to complications if left untreated.
How can I fix an upward bending toenail?
Regular straight-across trimming can help. Treat any underlying condition like fungus. Padding shoes to minimize pressure and avoiding tight footwear may also encourage proper growth. Severe cases may need procedures like partial nail removal.
How can I prevent my toenails from growing upward?
Trim nails regularly, wear proper fitting shoes, treat athlete’s foot promptly, avoid nail injuries, disinfect pedicure tools, dry feet thoroughly, and manage chronic health conditions. See a podiatrist if home care does not help.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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