How To Fix an Ingrown Toenail
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Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD
An ingrown toenail can happen when your nail grows into the skin on the nail border, where the nail meets the skin on the corner or side of the toe. The nail digging into your skin often causes irritation and inflammation, leading to redness, swelling, and warmth. If an ingrown toenail pierces the skin, bacteria can enter and cause an infection, which may lead to intense pain, pus, or pus-filled blisters around the toenail.
Home remedies may be enough to treat an ingrown toenail. However, seeing a podiatrist (foot doctor) or dermatologist (skin doctor) for treatment is important if you have signs of an infected toenail, recurrent ingrown toenails, or an underlying condition that affects blood flow or nerves in your feet and legs (e.g., diabetes).
When home remedies aren't enough, medical treatment for ingrown toenails focuses on removing the ingrown portion of the nail to relieve pain and discomfort, eliminate a bacterial infection (if present), and prevent future occurrences.
At-Home Treatments
If your ingrown toenail shows no sign of infection (e.g., pus around the nail), you can begin at-home treatments when you first notice signs of the ingrown nail, such as discomfort or redness around the affected toe. Early intervention may prevent infection and help relieve pain and discomfort before it worsens.
The following home remedies may help relieve symptoms:
Try a warm soak: Soak your foot in warm water with Epsom salts or mild soap to soften the toenail and reduce inflammation. Aim to soak your foot for 10 to 20 minutes, about three to four times daily.
Massage the nail: During the warm soak, gently massage the nail and affected area to help reduce inflammation.
Apply an antibiotic cream: Apply a small amount of over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic cream or ointment (e.g., Neosporin) to the affected area, and place a bandage or gauze over the toe to prevent bacterial infection.
Wear comfortable shoes: Until your ingrown toenail heals, choose footwear (such as sandals) that gives your toes plenty of room for movement and places little pressure on the affected toe.
Pack your toenail: In some cases, you may be able to gently lift the edge of the ingrown toenail from its position and place a cotton ball or waxed dental floss between the skin and the toenail. This prevents the toenail from sinking back into the skin. Change the packing daily to keep it clean and prevent infection.
Take an OTC pain reliever: Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can temporarily relieve pain and discomfort.
Use a toe protector or brace: Cushioning your toe with a protector or brace can reduce irritation and prevent future ingrown nails from recurring.
It's worth noting that you should not attempt at-home treatments for an ingrown toenail if you have diabetes, nerve problems, or poor foot and leg circulation. Treating an ingrown toenail with any of these conditions can lead to complications.
Surgery
If home remedies do not provide relief within two to three days or you experience worsening pain, increased redness, or signs of infection (e.g., pus), your ingrown toenail needs medical attention. A podiatrist or dermatologist can assess the severity of the ingrown toenail and determine if surgical removal of all or part of the nail is necessary. If you require surgery, there are a couple of options available.
Nail Avulsion
Ingrown toenail removal, or nail avulsion, is a minor surgical procedure your podiatrist can perform in their office. The most common method for treating ingrown toenails is a partial nail avulsion, which involves removing only the ingrown portion of the nail plate along the skin border (where the nail meets the skin).
A partial nail avulsion involves:
Local anesthetic: Your healthcare provider will inject a numbing medication into the affected toe so you will not feel pain or discomfort during the procedure.
Nail removal: Using sterile instruments, your provider will remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
Bandaging: Your provider will place a light bandage on the affected toe to promote healing and prevent infection.
A complete nail avulsion involves removing the entire nail plate. This is less common and generally means your toenail will grow back within three to four months.
Matrixectomy
If an ingrown toenail on the same toe is a recurrent problem, your healthcare provider may perform a matrixectomy at the same time as a nail avulsion. A matrixectomy involves removing or destroying the nail root so that the toenail never grows back. There are several matrixectomy techniques, including:
Chemical matrixectomy: Applies a chemical agent (e.g., phenol) to the nail root to destroy the tissue and prevent future nail growth.
Electrosurgical matrixectomy: Uses high-frequency electrodes or lasers to destroy nail root tissue and prevent nail growth.
Surgical matrixectomy: Involves surgical tools (e.g., a scalpel) to remove the nail root and prevent the nail from growing back.
Medications
If a bacterial infection develops due to an ingrown toenail, your healthcare provider will prescribe oral antibiotics that you take by mouth to eliminate the bacteria and clear the infection. Healthcare providers often prescribe Keflex (cephalexin) to treat infected ingrown toenails. It is important to take the entire course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms improve, to ensure the infection does not return.
Living With and Managing an Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail can be uncomfortable and interfere with daily activities, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet. Self-care measures and at-home treatments like warm soaks, wearing loose-fitting or open-toed shoes, and avoiding strenuous activities (e.g., running) can help your ingrown toenail heal and reduce pain and discomfort.
If your healthcare provider removes all or part of your toenail, it may take up to four months to grow back. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for caring for your toe while it heals, including resting your foot and keeping your wound clean and dry.
Taking care of your feet and maintaining proper nail care techniques can help lower the risk of recurrent ingrown toenails. This includes:
Toenail trimming: Cut your toenails in a straight line without cutting them too short. Do not cut the edges or trim down your nail borders to prevent ingrown toenails.
Proper footwear: Wear well-fitting shoes and socks. Avoid loose shoes, tight-fitting shoes, and high heels that put too much pressure on the toes when walking or during physical activities.
A Quick Review
While ingrown toenails can be painful, you can treat them with home remedies. This includes warm foot soaks and gently massaging the tender tissue to encourage the embedded nail to lift from the surrounding skin. For infected or severely painful ingrown toenails, partial or complete removal of the ingrown nail may be necessary.
You can lower your risk of ingrown toenails by keeping your toenails trimmed straight across and wearing well-fitting shoes.
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