As we go about our daily activities, we often take our feet for granted. However, when an ingrown toenail strikes, it can quickly become a painful and bothersome condition that can affect our quality of life. While some may attempt to treat an ingrown toenail at home, it’s crucial to understand that seeing a qualified healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist, is the best course of action to address this common foot ailment.

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What is ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail or onychocryptosis, is a foot condition that develops when the corner of your toenail grows down into your skin. It usually affects your big toe, but it can affect any of your toes. This can lead to pain and swelling and sometimes, in the worst case leads to infection. You can treat ingrown toenails at home. However, they can cause complications that might require medical treatment. Your risk of complications is higher if you have diabetes or other conditions that cause poor circulation.

‍How Do Ingrown Toenails Happen?

The most common reason for ingrown toenails is cutting toenails too short. When people cut their nails too short, the skin on the sides can cover the corners of the nail. This causes the nail to grow back into the skin. Nails that are ripped instead of cut or cut in a rounded shape also tend to become ingrown because they don't have clear corners. As they grow, a new corner grows under the skin and gets stuck.

‍Other common causes of ingrown toenails include:

1. Shoes that don't fit well. Shoes that are too tight can push the skin on the sides of the nail up over the nail, forcing the nail to grow in. Shoes that are too short also can cause nails to grow into the soft skin.
2. Toe injuries. Some severe toe injuries can make the nail fall off. If that happens, the new nail can grow back ingrown.
3. Repeated activity. Sometimes, simply repeating the same activity — like kicking a soccer ball — over and over again can lead to ingrown toenails.
4. Cutting toenails incorrectly (Cut straight across, since angling the sides of the nail can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.)
5. Irregular, curved toenails.
6. Improper foot hygiene, such as not keeping your feet clean or dry.
7. Genetic predisposition.

What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails can be painful, and they usually worsen in stages.

Early-stage symptoms include:

1. Skin next to the nail becomes tender, swollen, or hard.
2. Pain when pressure is placed on the toe.
3. Fluid building up around the toe.

If your toe becomes infected, symptoms may include:

1. The pain gets worse.
2. There is bleeding and pus discharge.
3. There is a bad smell from the toe.
4. The skin is overgrowth around the toe.

Treat your ingrown toenail as soon as possible to avoid worsening symptoms.

What are the complications of ingrown toenails?

This foot condition usually doesn’t cause any complications in healthy people. In worst scenario, you may develop an infection around your nail or scarring of your nail fold. In rare, chronic cases, an ingrown toenail infection can spread through your toe and into your bone.

What Are Some Ingrown Nail Treatments and Home Remedies?

If your ingrown nail isn’t infected, you should be able to treat it at home. To manage symptoms, you can:

1. Soak your feet. Reduce swelling and tenderness by putting your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes three to four times a day.
2. Keep your feet dry. Let your feet breathe to avoid sweat or dampness.
3. Use a wedge to lift your nail. Put dental floss or a small piece of cotton under the edge of your nail to help lift it as it grows out. Change it out daily.
4. Apply petroleum jelly. Cover your toe with a bandage afterward to help protect it.
5. Pick helpful shoes. Choose open-toed shoes or shoes with plenty of room in the toe. Don’t wear heels.
6. Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or  ibuprofen can help reduce tenderness and swelling.

What NOT to do:

We’ve gone over the things you should definitely do and the things you might consider doing for that ingrown toenail of yours. Now, let’s go over some of the things you definitely shouldn’t do:

1. Rinse it with hydrogen peroxide. Many of us grew up with hydrogen peroxide as the wound care method of choice. While it’s still a great option for disinfecting your house, it’s no longer recommended for use on your skin.
2. Cut your nails quickly. One of the most common causes of ingrown toenails is cutting them too short. When nails are very short, it encourages the skin at the sides of the nail to fold over it. Don’t be overzealous with the clippers and if you do decide to remove your ingrown toenail, be sure to cut straight across. Rounding the edges of the nail is a recipe for recurrence.
3. Get a pedicure without proper precautions. Many people enjoy getting pedicures and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if your toenail is ingrown, you need to treat it carefully. It is better to treat the ingrown first before having pedicures.

When Should I See the Doctor for an Ingrown Toenail?

You might not need to go to the doctor, but you should take steps to address an ingrown toenail and protect yourself from discomfort and more serious complications. But if an infection sets in, ingrown toenails can be serious and almost always need care by a doctor. If you notice any of the signs of infection, like discharge, warmth, or a bad smell, contact your doctor, who may ask you to see a podiatrist. Sometimes the podiatrist needs to remove the corner of the nail that is stuck and drain the pus or liquid that has built up in the skin. They may also prescribe antibiotics either oral or topical medication to help get rid of your infection. You should also see your provider as soon as possible if you have diabetes, severe nerve damage, poor blood circulation and a nail infection.

If you think you might have ingrown toenails or any kind of toenail infection, make an appointment to see our podiatrist immediately, you may reach us in Bethesda Maryland to schedule an appointment. 

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