An ingrown toenail is where your nail grows into the skin of your toe, usually your big toe.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include a painful and swollen toe. Your toenail may curve into the side of your toe.
You can help an ingrown toenail with things like regular foot baths. Sometimes your nail may need to be cut or removed by a foot specialist.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include a painful and swollen toe. Your toenail may curve into the side of your toe.
You usually get an ingrown toenail on your big toe. But you can get them on any toe.
Your toe may be red, painful and swollen.
Your toenail may curve into your toe.
Your toe can also get infected.
Signs of an infected toe include:
You can help an ingrown toenail with things like regular foot baths. Sometimes your nail may need to be cut or removed by a foot specialist.
If you go to a GP, they'll usually suggest you try these things first.
soak your foot in warm water 3 to 4 times a day for a few days – this softens the skin around your toe and stops the nail growing into it
keep your foot dry for the rest of the day
wear wide, comfortable shoes or sandals
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain
do not cut your toenail – leave it to grow out
do not pick at your toe or toenail
do not wear tight, pointy shoes
A GP can:
If you have a badly ingrown toenail, they may refer you to a foot specialist.
A foot specialist (podiatrist) may offer further treatments, such as:
You'll have an injection of local anaesthetic to numb your toe when this is done.
Referral to a podiatrist on the NHS may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long. You can pay to see a podiatrist privately.