INGROWN TOENAILS

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail happens when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of growing normally over it. It most often affects the big toe.

What causes it?

Common causes include:

Cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners

Wearing tight or narrow shoes, which squeeze the toes

Naturally curved or unusually shaped nails

Repeated pressure or injury to the toe, such as from running or kicking

Picking at or tearing the nail

Symptoms

You may notice:

Pain or tenderness along one side of the nail

Redness and swelling

The skin becoming sore when touched or when wearing shoes

Fluid or pus if it becomes infected

Increasing warmth, swelling, or throbbing around the toe

What can you do for an ingrown toenail?

Soak the foot in warm water for about 5-10 minutes twice daily.
Wear roomy shoes or sandals that don't press on the toe.
Avoid cutting further into the affected corner or trying to dig the nail out.
As it grows out, cut the nail straight across, rather than rounding the corners.

When does it need medical treatment?

There is pus or significant infection

Pain, redness, or swelling is getting worse

It isn't improving with home care

The problem keeps coming back

You have diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced sensation in your feet—in that situation, don't try to treat an ingrown nail yourself.

A healthcare professional can sometimes lift the nail edge away from the skin. For a persistent or recurrent problem, they may remove part of the nail (a partial nail avulsion), sometimes treating the nail root so that that portion doesn't grow back. This usually entails having the nail removed under local anaesthetic.