Ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail is a nail edge that digs into the skin at the side of the toe. It hurts, becomes inflamed and frequently gets infected.
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Medicines commonly prescribed for Ingrown toenail
For informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor before using any medicine.
Dosage form: TABLET, 650 mgActive substance: paracetamolManufacturer: Teva B.V.Prescription not requiredDosage form: TABLET, 500 mgActive substance: paracetamolManufacturer: Teva B.V.Prescription not requiredDosage form: TABLET, 1 g paracetamolActive substance: paracetamolManufacturer: Ferrer Internacional S.A.Prescription not required
An ingrown toenail is a nail edge that digs into the skin at the side of the toe. It hurts, becomes inflamed and frequently gets infected. It almost always affects the big toe, and its usual cause is simple: cutting nails rounded instead of straight, and narrow footwear. It treats well, and the part that prevents recurrence is changing those two things.
How it develops
- stage 1: pain on pressing the side of the nail, some redness and swelling;
- stage 2: increasing pain, discharge, sometimes pus;
- stage 3: granulation tissue grows — a soft reddish mass over the nail edge — which bleeds easily;
- it hurts to walk and to wear shoes;
- it can affect one or both sides.
Causes
- cutting nails with rounded corners or too short: the most common cause;
- narrow, pointed or short footwear;
- tight socks or tights;
- trauma: knocks, sports with sudden stops, being stepped on;
- excessive sweating, which softens the skin;
- the anatomical shape of the nail, strongly curved or pincer-shaped;
- fungal nail infection, which thickens and deforms it;
- excess weight and abnormal loading;
- some medicines, such as oral retinoids and certain cancer treatments.
What to do at home in the early stage
- soak the foot in warm salt water for 10–15 minutes, two or three times a day;
- dry thoroughly afterwards;
- gently place a small piece of cotton wool or gauze under the corner of the nail to lift it away from the skin; change it daily after soaking;
- a mild antiseptic and a dressing;
- open or very loose footwear while it lasts;
- pain relief if needed;
- do not cut the nail any further;
- if it improves, let the straight edge grow out past the skin.
What not to do: cut a "V" in the middle of the nail — this is a myth with no effect whatsoever on the edges; trim the digging corner, which is exactly what recreates the problem; poke about with non-sterile objects; or ignore an infection hoping it will settle.
When to see a doctor
- there is pus, a bad smell or increasing pain;
- reddish tissue has grown over the nail;
- redness is spreading up the toe or there is fever;
- it has not improved within a week of home care;
- the problem keeps recurring;
- you have diabetes, neuropathy or circulatory problems — in that case attend from the outset and do not treat it yourself;
- you take immunosuppressants;
- it is a young child;
- the nail is thickened and discoloured: there may be an underlying fungal infection.
Medical treatment
- partial nail edge removal under local anaesthetic: quick, highly effective, with immediate relief;
- chemical matricectomy with phenol: after removing the edge, the portion of nail matrix producing it is destroyed so that side does not grow back. This has the lowest recurrence rate;
- antibiotics if there is infection with surrounding cellulitis;
- cautery or removal of granulation tissue;
- corrective braces or clips for strongly curved nails, as a conservative alternative;
- treatment of fungal infection if it is the underlying cause.
The nail grows back normally after partial removal and takes 6–12 months to regain full length. After a matricectomy the nail is permanently slightly narrower, and that is the price of the problem not returning.
How to prevent recurrence
- cut nails straight across, without rounding the corners, leaving the free edge visible;
- do not cut them too short;
- file the corners only enough that they do not catch, without curving them;
- cut them after a shower, when they are soft;
- footwear with a wide toe box and the correct length;
- socks that do not compress;
- keep feet dry and change socks daily;
- treat excessive sweating and fungal infection;
- regular podiatry review if the problem recurs or if you have diabetes.
Common questions
Does cutting a "V" in the nail help? No. The nail does not grow "towards the middle"; it is a widespread myth.
Will it heal on its own? In the early stage, with soaking and packing, often yes. Once there is pus or granulation tissue, no.
Does the procedure hurt? It is done under local anaesthetic: the injection stings, the rest does not. Relief from the previous pain is immediate.
Will the nail grow back? Yes, after partial removal. With a matricectomy that particular side does not grow back, which is the aim.
Can I do sport afterwards? A few days of rest and loose footwear, then normal activity.
Online consultation
In an online consultation the doctor reviews photographs and the stage you are at, explains what you can manage at home and what needs a procedure, recognises signs of infection, takes diabetes into account and shows you the correct way to cut your nails so it does not happen again.
This material is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation.
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Medically reviewed by
Reviewed on Jul 13, 2026
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