People with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or other circulatory problems should see a doctor right away rather than try home treatment. For other people, some ingrown toenails can be treated successfully at home. Soak your toe in warm water, then dry it gently and apply antibiotic cream. If this doesn't work, or if there is pus or the toenail is very painful, see a doctor. You may have an infection that will require antibiotics. The doctor can also take steps to remove the problem portion of the toenail from the skin.
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.
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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. -
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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
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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.) -
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Parkland Medical Center answeredSee All 3 Answers
Trimming your nails straight across rather than in a curved fashion can help you avoid ingrown nails. Another way to help avoid ingrown nails is to wear comfortable shoes that do not pinch or squeeze your toes. Don't cut your toenails any shorter than the edge of your toes. Also, be cautious and choose protective shoes if you work at a job site where there is a risk of foot injuries or participate in activities with a high risk for foot injuries.
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An ingrown toenail is a common condition that occurs when an edge of a toenail grows into the skin surrounding it, or when the skin surrounding a toenail grows over the toenail. It is most common on the big toe. This may cause pain, redness, swelling, and infection.
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Parkland Medical Center 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.
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Parkland Medical Center answeredSee All 2 AnswersMedications can be used to help combat infection associated with ingrown nails. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments or creams can be applied directly to the infected area. Doctors can also prescribe topical or oral antibiotics if need be.
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Parkland Medical Center answeredSee All 2 AnswersIngrown nails can generally be diagnosed with a simple physical exam during a doctor's visit. Your doctor will check your nail and surrounding flesh for swelling, redness, and other signs of the problem. If the ingrown nail is not too deep, a physician can remove the nail and the root of the section, or carefully lift the nail away from the skin and place sterile material beneath it until your symptoms disappear.
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Parkland Medical Center 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.