Disclaimer: This is general health information only and is not a substitute for advice from your GP or healthcare professional.
1. What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. It most commonly affects the big toe.
2. What causes an ingrown toenail?
Common causes include cutting toenails too short or curved, tight or ill-fitting shoes, repeated pressure or trauma, poor foot hygiene, and naturally curved or thick nails.
3. What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?
Symptoms include pain along the nail edge, redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes discharge or pus if infection develops.
4. How is an ingrown toenail treated at home?
Mild cases may improve with soaking the foot in warm salty water, keeping the area clean and dry, wearing loose footwear, and carefully trimming nails straight across.
5. When are antibiotics needed?
Antibiotics may be needed if there are signs of infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or spreading pain. A doctor will assess if they are required.
6. When is minor surgery needed?
If the problem is severe, recurrent, or infected, a minor procedure to remove part of the nail may be recommended. This is usually done under local anaesthetic.
7. Who is at higher risk of complications?
People with diabetes, poor circulation, nerve problems, or weakened immunity are at higher risk and should seek early medical care.
8. Can an ingrown toenail heal on its own?
Mild cases may improve, but many ingrown toenails worsen without proper care and can become infected if left untreated.
9. How can ingrown toenails be prevented?
Prevention includes cutting nails straight across, avoiding cutting them too short, wearing well-fitting shoes, and protecting toes from repeated trauma.
10. When should I see a doctor?
See a doctor if pain is severe, infection develops, symptoms do not improve, or if you have diabetes or circulation problems.
