Definition – Pathogenesis Risk Factors – Classification – Scoring

There is still a debate about the cause of ingrowing toenails: is it the nail plate itself, the soft tissues or both that are at fault? There are few real risk factors that may promote ingrowing toenails, mainly nail abnormalities like too wide or transverse overcurved nails. Ingrowing is precipitated by improper nail cutting in most instances. The best way to classify ingrowing nails is from their location: lateral, distal or proximal. Each of these categories has different subtypes. Several severity index scoring may help the clinician to find the best treatment plan.