Quick read
Key points
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An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and sometimes swelling or infection, most commonly affecting the big toe. It's often caused by cutting nails too short or with rounded edges, tight footwear, or injury to the toe.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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The toe shows signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
01 · Know
What is Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and sometimes swelling or infection, most commonly affecting the big toe. It's often caused by cutting nails too short or with rounded edges, tight footwear, or injury to the toe.
Mild ingrown toenails often improve with simple home care, while more painful or infected cases may need treatment from a podiatrist or doctor, occasionally including a minor procedure to remove part of the nail.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Cutting nails straight across helps prevent recurrence
Cutting toenails straight across, rather than rounding the corners, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent ingrown toenails from developing or recurring.
03 · Act
When to See a Doctor or Podiatrist
- 1The toe shows signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
- 2Pain is severe or not improving with home care
- 3You have diabetes or poor circulation, which means foot care needs extra caution
- 4Ingrown toenails keep recurring
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
People with Diabetes Should See a Podiatrist Rather Than Self-Treating
If you have diabetes or reduced sensation in your feet, see a podiatrist for ingrown toenail care rather than attempting to treat it yourself, since foot injuries can be more serious for people with these conditions.
- 1Soak the foot in warm water several times a day.This can help ease discomfort and soften the skin around the nail.
- 2Gently lift the edge of the nail if possible.Placing a small piece of cotton under the ingrown edge can help it grow above the skin — do this gently to avoid injury.
- 3Wear comfortable, roomy footwear.This reduces pressure on the affected toe while it heals.
- 4Cut nails straight across.This helps prevent the nail from curving into the skin as it grows.
- 5See a podiatrist or doctor if pain persists or infection develops.They can provide appropriate treatment, including a minor procedure if needed.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Ingrown toenail ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Ingrown toenails are common and often improve with simple home care, with proper nail-cutting technique helping to prevent recurrence.
People with diabetes should always see a podiatrist for ingrown toenail care rather than self-treating.