Toenails are growing sideways because of some kind of pressure on the nail matrix. This is the area in your toe that produces new toenails. If there’s too much pressure on your matrix, it starts producing sideways nails as a defense mechanism. It’s not a serious medical issue and won’t cause you any permanent harm. Read on to know more about why is my toenail growing sideways? Possible causes and effective home remedies for it!
Why Is My Toenail Growing Sideways?
Tending to be a rather unglamorous part of the human body, most people don’t think much about their toenails until they start to grow in an awkward manner. Toenails growing sideways is something that most people will experience at some point in their lives, with more than half of all adults reporting having experienced this phenomenon at least once before. Here we’ll be exploring the reasons why your toenail may be growing sideways, and how you can help reverse this process.
Your Nails are Stressed
If your nail is growing sideways, it could be a sign that your nail is stressed. If your nails are growing sideways and are brittle, thick, or otherwise damaged, it could be a sign that your body is under a lot of stress. If your life is particularly stressful, your body’s immune system may be overworked, which can cause your nails to grow sideways. If your nail is growing sideways and is brittle, you may want to look into ways to reduce stress in your life, as this could be contributing to brittle nails. If you have too much on your plate, too many obligations, and not enough time to rest and unwind, you may end up with a sideways-growing nail as a result. (Zolpidem) You may also notice that your nails are growing more slowly than they usually do, or that they are breaking more frequently than normal. To help reduce the amount of stress in your life, try to reduce your daily obligations, set aside some time for relaxation and self-care, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
Your Nails are too Short
Another possible reason for your nails growing sideways is that they may be too short. If your nails are growing sideways but are otherwise healthy, it’s possible that they are too short to grow down. Nails grow in a variety of ways. Some grow from the cuticle, some grow from the middle, and some growth from the free edge of the nail bed. If your nails are growing from the cuticle, or from the middle of the nail bed, they will naturally grow sideways. If they’re growing from the free edge, however, they will naturally grow downwards. If your nails are growing sideways but are otherwise healthy, it’s possible that they are too short to grow down. If you aren’t sure where your nails are growing from, you may want to consult a doctor or a nail expert.
Genetics Plays a Role
While genetics may not always be your friend, it can actually be a very good thing when it comes to sideways-growing toenails. People who have a family history of sideways growing toenails may notice that their toenail begins growing sideways, rather than growing down, for genetic reasons. Those with a family history of sideways growing toenails may notice that the toenail grows in sideways and stays there. This is something that can’t be changed or prevented, but it is something that can provide a unique look. If you have a family history of sideways growing toenails, you may want to embrace it and not try to correct it.
A Bacterial Infection is to Blame
If you have a sideways growing toenail, there’s a good chance it is a result of a bacterial infection. When a bacterial infection is present in the body, it can often be seen on the nails, which can result in sideways growing toenails. If you have a bacterial infection in your toe that is causing your toenail to grow sideways, you may want to see a doctor get the infection treated. You may also want to see a doctor if you notice an increase in pain or discomfort in your toe. A bacterial infection in your toe may also be causing redness, swelling, and other signs of an infection. If you notice these signs, please don’t hesitate to see a doctor right away.
How To Check If Your Nail Is Growing Sideways?
Step 1: Check if it’s actually a sideways growth issue
The first thing you need to do is see if it’s a sideways growth issue or if it’s a breakage issue. If the nails break, check the edges for roughness, if it’s smooth and the break is clean, then that’s probably a growth issue. If your nails are growing sideways and breaking, the second thing you should do is see if there’s an underlying cause. If your nails grow quickly all the time, it might be a sign that they’re too soft. Your body might be trying to compensate by growing extra fast, in an attempt to thicken them up to make them stronger. If you have a thyroid condition and/or your nails grow very quickly, it might be a symptom. Thyroid conditions are more common than you might think, so it’s worth getting that checked out by a doctor just to rule it out. If your nails have a jagged edge when they break, it’s a sign that they’re too thin. Nails that are too thin are more prone to breakage.
Step 2: Manicure and check your nail growth direction
The next thing you should do is manicure your nails and cut them short. This will help you find out if your nails are growing sideways. Then place the nails on a flat surface and see if they grow in a direction towards the pinky side of your palm or towards the thumb side of your palm. If your nails are growing towards the thumb side of your palm, it means that your blood and nutrient circulation is towards the pinky side of your palm. This is due to the weakness of your cardiovascular system and it’s caused by stress, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hormonal imbalance, iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, and insulin resistance. If your nails are growing towards the pinky side of your palm, it’s a sign that you have too much blood and nutrients on the thumb side of your palm. If you’re pregnant, it’s likely that your nails will grow towards the thumb side of your palm since there is extra blood flow towards the thumb side of your palm.
Step 3: Cut the nails short and try again
The next thing you should do is cut the nails short to unload the pressure from the sides and transfer it towards the tip of the finger. When you cut the nails short, the blood and nutrient flow will be stopped at the corners of your nail and will be redirected towards the tip. This is when you will see the difference in whether your nail is supposed to grow towards the thumb side of the pinky side of the palm. If your nails are supposed to grow towards the thumb side of the palm, you will see that the growth will be towards the thumb side of the palm, and the same goes for the pinky side of the palm. You should also consider changing your diet and adding supplements that promote nail growth.
Step 4: Get rid of the nail edge
The next thing you should do is get rid of the nail edge as it might be causing some pressure towards the pinky side of the palm. If your nails are growing towards the thumb side of the palm and the nail edge is towards the pinky side of the palm, you can remove the nail edge with a manicure nail file. You can also apply a buffing block to the edge of the nail, as this will help you get rid of the nail edge and move the nail growth towards the thumb side of the palm. Remember that the nail will grow back and you will have to continue doing this until you see the desired result. You can also apply clear nail polish to the edge of the nail to minimize the pressure.
How To Prevent Sideways Toenail Growth?
There are many ways to prevent sideways toenail growth. Here are a few tips to help you prevent sideways toenail growth.
- Take care of your nail plate: The first thing you should do is to take care of your nail plate. Make sure that your nails are not brittle or soft. Keep your nails healthy by applying moisturizer regularly.
- Avoid wearing open-toed shoes: Open-toed shoes are not good for those who have a condition where the toenails grow sideways. If you have a sideways growing nail, then avoid wearing open-toed shoes.
- Stay hydrated: Stay hydrated to keep your nails healthy. Drink plenty of water every day to prevent your nails from getting brittle or soft.
- Wear appropriate footwear: This is especially important for people who are on their feet for most of the day. Choose shoes that fit well and offer appropriate support.
Conclusion
Toenails are made of keratin, the same protein that is found in your hair and your fingernails. They are the hard layer that grows on the end of your toes. Underneath the toenail is a tissue called the matrix. It is the area where new toenails grow from. There are many ways to prevent sideways toenail growth. Make sure that you are taking care of your nail plate, avoid wearing open-toed shoes, stay hydrated and wear appropriate footwear.
