Ingrown toenail

Created: 03.08.2023

Updated: 29.12.2023

Approved by: General Practitioner, Dr Binita Parmar 

An ingrown toenail is a common condition where the edge of the nail grows into the skin on the side of the toe. It can lead to pain, inflammation and infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include pain, redness, swelling, and a feeling of warmth or tenderness around the nail. If the condition is not treated, an infection can occur, causing the skin around the nail to become red, tender, and filled with pus.

Causes

Both women and men can get ingrown toenails, but it is more common among men. The causes of ingrown toenails can vary, but common causes include improper nail clipping, wearing shoes that are too tight and injuries to the toenail.

Treatment

Treatment methods for an ingrown toenail may include soaking the nail in warm water to soften it, cutting the nail straight across and avoiding rounding the corners, and using an antiseptic cream to prevent infection.

In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove parts of the nail or correct the shape of the nail.