You should see a podiatrist urgently if you have symptoms of infection, and also have diabetes, poor circulation or a reduced immune system. You should also visit a podiatrist if you experience any persistent pain in your toe from the ingrowing nail or have a condition that affects the nerves and/or feeling in your foot. As the end of the nail grows forward, push a tiny piece of cotton wool or dental floss under it to help the nail grow over the skin and not grow into it. Change the cotton wool or dental floss each time you soak your foot. natural shape of the nail – the sides of curved or fan-shaped toenails are more likely to press into the skin surrounding the nail

If you have signs of infection or a severe ingrown toenail, don’t attempt to cut it yourself. If you cut the nail, the condition may get worse. If symptoms aren’t getting better with home remedies for an ingrown toenail, see a healthcare provider. Do I need a healthcare provider to treat an ingrown toenail? Before you are seen by a podiatrist, you can relieve the discomfort by bathing your foot in a salty footbath which helps to prevent infection and reduces inflammation. Then apply a clean sterile dressing, especially if you have a discharge, and rest your foot as much as possible. Most of the time, healthcare providers can treat mild ingrown toenails using the same techniques you would at home. But they use sterile and more professional instrumentation. This foot condition usually heals without surgery. Your doctor will use either a heated electrical device called a cautery or an acidic solution such as phenol or trichloroacetic acid to disrupt the nail matrix from which your nail grows. This stops your nail from bleeding. It also means that section of your nail likely won’t regrow. If it does regrow, your nail may look differently than it did before surgery. Ingrown toenail home treatment includes several simple steps. These steps can help manage the infection and prevent further ingrown toenail pain.Less common is a fungal infection or in some cases particular types of medication, for example isotretinoin. Who gets it? Ingrowing toenails are not usually serious, however in some cases without treatment, an ingrown toenail could become infected. The following steps can help avoid developing an ingrowing toenail: Partial nail avulsion removes part of your toenail and is the most commonly used operation for treating ingrown toenails. It’s about 98% effective. You should also see your provider if you’ve tried topical antibiotic ointment, soaking and self-care but your toe still hurts. What should I ask my healthcare provider?

Cover your ingrown toenail with an over-the-counter ointment, such as petroleum jelly, and a bandage. This will help keep your toenail clean and protected as it grows out. For toes too painful to touch, a local anaesthetic will be injected before removing the offending portion of nail With an estimated 10,000 new cases* in the UK each year, ingrown toenail is very common. It develops when the sides of the toenail grow into the surrounding skin – causing redness, inflammation and in severe cases can sometimes leading to a localised infection.If you experience any foot care issues that do not resolve themselves naturally or through routine foot care within three weeks, you should seek the help of a healthcare professional. There are many genetic factors that can make you prone to ingrowing toenails, including your posture (the way you stand), your gait (the way you walk) and any foot deformity such as a bunion, hammer toes or excessive pronation of the feet (when your foot rolls inward excessively). Your nails may also have a natural tendency to splay or curl out instead of growing straight, encouraging your nail to grow outwards or inwards into the flesh. For involuted nails, part of the nail that is curling into the flesh is removed and then the edges of the nail are filed to a smooth surface Stop any at-home treatment and see your doctor if nothing improves after five days or if you experience: