Ingrown toenails are a common nail problem. Ingrown toenails occur when the sides or corners of a nail grow into soft tissue instead of growing straight out. The condition can become very painful, especially if infection sets in.
Typically, an ingrown toenail will grow out on its own. For pain relief, the nail can be soaked in warm salt water. Apply a topical antiseptic and bandage the toe. For serious or very painful cases of ingrown toenail, a healthcare provider can remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
Ingrown Nails
Wearing shoes that crowd your toenails is one way to cause ingrown toenails. People with diabetes and poor circulation are also at risk for an ingrown toenail, which causes pain, swelling and redness. An ingrown toenail could even cause infection in the tissue surrounding the nail. Find out how to prevent and treat ingrown toenails with expert advice from Sharecare.
Recently Answered
-
8 AnswersA
RealAge answeredSee All 8 Answers -
1 AnswerA
Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredYour doctor or dermatologist can recommend the best course of treatment for an ingrown toenail. He or she may recommend that you treat ingrown toenails with at-home remedies or may advise prescription treatment. In severe cases and/or in the event of infection, surgery may be required. Ask your doctor or dermatologist for more information.
Ingrown toenails, common in both children and adults, are often brought on by poorly fitting shoes, incorrectly trimmed nails, or injuries. Though an ingrown toenail may be quite painful it can usually be treated easily, especially if you catch it early, before infection sets in. -
1 AnswerA
Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredToenail problems can be caused by a number of conditions, so it's best to talk with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Some conditions, such as mild cases of ingrown toenails or nail fungus, can be treated at home. Others, such as nail psoriasis or more serious infections, may require prescription medication. And still others could be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition that needs treatment.
If your toenail health concerns you, speak with your doctor. Experts say you should talk to your doctor if you notice any of these changes in your nails:- horizontal ridges
- clubbing (the nail seems higher than the nail bed and may round out above the cuticle and curve downward toward the tip)
- dark streaks
- yellow or blue discoloration
- white lines
- white underneath the nail
- pitting (holes or depressions)
- white spots
- curled nails
- separation from the skin beneath the nail
-
1 AnswerA
Treatment of an ingrown fingernail depends upon how severe it is. Conservative treatments of mild to moderate cases include warm water and soap, antibacterial ointments, cutting part of the nail if able, or using an item such as dental floss to provide a tract along which the nail can grow. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove part or the entire nail.
(This answer provided for NATA by the Eastern University Athletic Training Education Program.) -
3 AnswersA
Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 3 AnswersIngrown nails happen when your nails curve in at the edges and grow toward the skin, putting pressure on it and sometimes puncturing it. Experts say that you can inherit the tendency to have ingrown toenails. But there are things you can do to help avoid developing ingrown nails. These include:
- trimming your toenails straight across and not too short
- wearing shoes that fit properly (not too tight and not too loose)
- getting regular check-ups of your feet if you have diabetes or nerve damage or poor circulation in the foot that puts you at greater risk for complications from ingrown nails
- keeping your feet clean and dry
-
6 AnswersA
Dr. Hillary B. Brenner, DPM , Podiatric Medicine, answeredSee All 6 AnswersAn ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis) is when the corners of a toenail grow into the soft skin adjacent to the toenail, leading to irritation, redness, swelling and infection. The following are causes of ingrown toenails:1) Ill-fitting shoes that are too narrow in the toe-box, too short, and tight fitting socks may all cause ingrown toenails. 2) Cutting toenails too short or cutting into the corners of the toenail causes the surrounding skin to fold over the nail and the nail to push into the skin and pierce it. 3) Trauma to the nail such as dropping an object on the toe, having a toe stepped on or repeated trauma such as pounding to which runners subject their feet to can all cause the corner of the nail to be jammed into the skin. 4) Hereditary...for example, some people have inherited unusual curvature of their toenails. A specific condition is called pincer nails, which is a toenail disorder in which the lateral (outside) edges of the nail slowly approach one another compressing the nail bed. 5) A person's gait (walking cycle) and posture can have an impact on developing ingrown toenails. 6) Thick fungal nails or a nail that was lost from trauma can develop into ingrown toenails. -
1 AnswerA
Sigma Nursing answeredThe symptoms of ingrown nails include redness combined with warmth, pain, and swelling in your toe. Ingrown nails can also lead to infections. Pus coming out of the skin on the side of your nail may indicate an ingrown nail has become infected. -
2 AnswersA
Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersIngrown nails can often be treated at home and may not require medication. But if your ingrown toenail has caused an infection of the nail, your doctor may use a topical or oral antibiotic to treat the infection. Ingrown nails develop when a nail curves inward and grows into the skin, causing pain and discomfort.
-
2 AnswersA
Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersAt first, an ingrown toenail may feel hard, swollen, and tender. If left untreated, the toenail may become red and more swollen and painful and you may see discharge (pus) around the nail. If you're experiencing pain or redness, then the nail has likely become infected. See a doctor for treatment of an ingrown toenail.
-
1 AnswerA
Sigma Nursing answeredIngrown nails are usually easy to correct via home remedies or a simple doctor's visit. With mild cases, a person can try soaking the affected area in warm water several times a day followed by an application of antibiotic cream or ointment. If that doesn't solve the problem, a doctor may try putting a small piece of cotton between the nail and the nail bed until the nail grows correctly. With deeper ingrown nails or reoccurring problems, a doctor will often recommend removing a portion of the affected nail. This can typically be done with a simple procedure involving localized anesthesia. If you have diabetes or circulatory problems, see a podiatrist; do not use self-treatment.