What is an Ingrown Toenail? 

An ingrown toenail is a toenail that has grown into the skin instead of over it. An ingrown toenail can become infected, when the nail penetrates the skin.  It may be painful, swollen and drain pus. 

Causes 

The following may cause an ingrown toenail

  • Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the edge of the nail
  • Wearing shoes or socks that don’t fit well or are too tight
  • Stubbing your toe
  • Repetitive kicking of the toe, such as kicking a soccer ball
  • Hereditary

Symptoms

The main symptom of an ingrown toenail is pain. If the ingrown toenail becomes infected, it may be swollen, red or draining pus 

Treatment

You can try the following steps at home to relieve the pain:

  • Try soaking the toe in warm water and Epsom salt for 15 minutes 2-3 times daily.
  • Place a piece of cotton under the corner of your ingrown toenail to help lift the nail plate off the skin.
  • Avoid using a sharp object or manicure scissor to dig underneath the nail, because the toe might get infected.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and sandals that do not press on your toes
Try these home treatments for 3 days. If the problem persist or worsens you should visit your Podiatrist. It is important that if your toe turns red, swollen and drains pus, you see your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the infection. If the ingrown toenail is much ingrown, minor surgery may be necessary to remove part or the entire ingrown toenail.  This procedure is performed under local anesthesia to numb the toe. After the procedure, it is important to take care of the toe to aid in the healing process. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow. 

Prevention

Ingrown toenails may be prevented by:

  • Wearing comfortable shoes.
  • Trim toenails probably, straight across and avoid cutting your nails short.

If you have diabetes or poor circulation, talk to your doctor before you trim your own toenails. People with diabetes have a hard time feeling their toes and might cut themselves without realizing it. People with diabetes or poor circulation should avoid cutting their own toenails. 
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