An ingrown toenail is a painful condition where the nail grows into the toe.

Do

• Soak affected toe in warm water 3 – 4 times a day– this softens the skin around the toe and stops the nail growing into it.
• Keep the foot dry for rest of the day.
• Wear wide, comfortable shoes or open sandals
• Take NSAID’s to ease the pain

Don’t

• Do not cut the toenail – leave it to grow out
• Do not pick at toenail
• Do not wear tight, pointy shoes

See a Dermatologist if:

• Treating at home isn’t helping
• Toe is painful and swollen with pus oozing out of it
• Temperature is high or you feel hot and shivery
• You are diabetic.

Treatments for an ingrown toenail

A Dermatologist can:

• Confirm diagnosis
• Give you antibiotics for infected toenail
• Cut away part of the nail
• Remove the whole nail.

Alocal anestheticis injectedto numb your toe when this is done.

How to prevent ingrown toenails

• Do not cut your toenails too short
• Cut straight across the nail, avoid the edges
• Do not wear shoes that are too tight or do not fit properly