Evaluation of Toenail Findings and Ingrown Nails in Athletes

Abstract

Background/Aims: Professional athletes often encounter foot nail issues due to the demands of their intensive training and the conditions within their sports footwear. This study aims to assess the prevalence, characterize the types of nail conditions affecting professional athletes, and identify predisposing factors, shedding light on a critical yet frequently neglected area of sports-related health. Methods: We surveyed 120 professional athletes from football and basketball teams across three major sports clubs. Data on sociodemographic factors and nail issues were collected via a detailed questionnaire and corroborated with dermatological exams. Results: The research included 108 football players and 12 basketball players, with 13 female athletes among them. The participants had an average age of 22.87 years and an average sports career length of 6.72 years. Ingrown toenails were reported by 81 athletes (67.5%), with 35 cases involving multiple regions and 9 cases a single region. The condition was most frequently found in the first toe, present in 41 instances. A significant association was found between ingrown toenails and both age and sports activity duration (p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively). Drying between toes was more prevalent among those with ingrown toenails (p=0.005). No significant relationship was observed with other factors such as shoe type, nail cutting habits, pedicure history, fungal infections, or symptoms like sweating and swelling. Dermatological assessments also identified subungual hematoma in 25 athletes, hyperkeratosis in 5, and nail dystrophy in 23. Conclusions: In professional athletes, a high incidence of ingrown toenails has been associated with increased duration of sports activity; however, no correlation was found with known predisposing factors such as improper nail cutting or incorrect footwear selection, suggesting that the meticulous foot care practices of athletes may mitigate these risks. Proactive dermatological surveillance and tailored educational interventions are imperative for athletes to preemptively address podiatric ailments and uphold optimal performance.