Ingrown Toenails Explained: From Causes to When to See a Doctor

4. Physical Trauma

Individuals who extensively use their feet have a higher risk of developing ingrown toenails. There are several reasons for this. Primarily, these people are more likely to damage or break the nail, potentially causing it to grow into the skin. Dancers who spend long periods of time on their toes, such as a ballet dancer often en pointe, can develop ingrown toenails due to the pressure placed on their toes. Other activities that often lead to nail damage are American football, soccer, and kickboxing.