Expert Tips for Treating Ingrown Toenails: Your Guide to Relief and Recovery

Ingrown toenails are a painful and common issue that occurs when the edges of your toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The result? Inflammation, redness, discomfort, and sometimes even infection, particularly in the big toe.

Ingrown toenails bandaged.

If you’ve ever dealt with the tenderness and swelling of an ingrown toenail, you know how frustrating it can be. But don’t worry! Relief and recovery are possible with the right approach. In this guide, we’ll take you through our expert tips for treating ingrown toenails and preventing them from coming back.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Before talking about treatments, it’s important to understand what leads to the development of ingrown toenails. A variety of factors can contribute, including:

Poor Nail Cutting Techniques: Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the edges too much can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
Tight-Fitting Footwear: Shoes, socks, or tights that squeeze your toes can put pressure on your toenails, pushing them into the surrounding skin.
Injury or Trauma: Stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on it can change the shape of the nail and lead to ingrowth.
Nail Conditions: Fungal infections and other conditions that affect the natural shape of your toenail can also play a role.

Recognising the Symptoms

The big toe is usually the culprit when it comes to ingrown toenails, and the condition can affect one or both sides of the nail. Symptoms to watch out for include:

Pain and Tenderness: Any pressure on the affected toe can trigger pain, making walking uncomfortable.
Inflammation: The skin around the end of the toe becomes red and swollen as the nail pierces through.
Fluid Build-Up: You may notice a collection of fluid around the toenail as your body responds to the irritation.
Overgrowth of Skin: Hypergranulation tissue, or an excess growth of skin around the toenail, may form as the body tries to heal itself.
Pus or Bleeding: White or yellow pus may drain from the area if the skin becomes infected, sometimes accompanied by bleeding.

Conservative Treatments for Ingrown Toenails

If your ingrown toenail is mild, there are several conservative treatments you can try at home to relieve the pain and promote healing:

Soak Your Foot: Soaking the affected foot in warm water with Epsom salts can help reduce swelling and soften the skin, making it easier to treat.
Trim the Nail Carefully: Cut your nails following the natural curve of the nail, don’t dig down the sides, as this can leave nail spikes which cause further problems.
Wear Open-Toed or Loose Shoes: Give your toe some breathing room to reduce pressure on the nail and avoid aggravating the area.
Use Antibiotic Cream: Apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover the toe with a clean bandage.
Lift the Nail: For a slightly more advanced technique, you can try gently lifting the nail using a small piece of cotton or dental floss under the edge, keeping it away from the skin.

While these methods often work for early or mild cases, they may not be enough if the ingrown toenail is more severe.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If conservative treatments aren’t providing relief or if you notice signs of infection, such as increased swelling, warmth, and pus, it’s time to consult a podiatrist. In severe cases, ingrown toenails may need medical intervention, including:

Partial Nail Removal: For persistent or painful ingrown toenails, we may recommend a minor surgical procedure. Under local anaesthetic, the edges of the toenail are removed to prevent the nail from continuing to grow into the skin.
Total Nail Removal: If the problem is particularly severe, or if the shape of your toenail makes recurrence likely, your podiatrist may remove the entire toenail.
Phenol Treatment: To ensure the ingrown toenail doesn’t come back, a chemical called phenol is applied to the affected area to prevent regrowth. This technique is highly effective for recurrent cases and provides long-term relief.

Preventing Future Ingrown Toenails

Prevention is key when it comes to avoiding the discomfort of ingrown toenails. Here are some expert tips to help keep your toenails healthy:

Cut Nails Properly: Cut your nails following the natural curve of the nail, don’t dig down the sides, and try not to cut them too short.

Wear Proper Footwear: Choose shoes that fit well and give your toes enough room to move, giving a thumb’s width at the front of the shoe. Avoid shoes that are too tight or pointy, as they increase pressure on your toenails.
Avoid Picking at Your Nails: Picking at your nails or cuticles can lead to infection and increase your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Protect Your Toes from Injury: If you participate in activities where your toes might be injured, such as running or football, wear appropriate protective footwear.

Ingrown toenails are an uncomfortable and often painful condition, but with the right treatment, we can cure them!

Don’t hesitate to contact us. Our expert team of podiatrists can help you find the right solution and get you back on your feet pain-free.