WHAT IS AN INGROWN TOENAIL?
An ingrown toenail is a toenail that grows into the
surrounding skin or tissue of the toe. The toenail on the
big toe is the one that is most commonly ingrown.
HOW DOES IT OCCUR?
An ingrown toenail usually occurs as a result of improper
nail trimming. If a nail is cut curved instead of straight
across, it may grow into the flesh at the edge of the nail
and become ingrown. Nails may also become ingrown as
a result of direct blows, or from wearing shoes or boots
that are too tight.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
An area around the corners and edges of the toenail is
painful. The toe may be swollen and red, and there may
be drainage. A toe with an ingrown toenail that becomes
infected will be red and swollen, and will have pus.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
Discomfort may be relieved by soaking your foot in a
basin of warm water 2-3 times a day. If only a small part
of your toenail is ingrown, the corner of the nail can be
lifted up with a pair of tweezers and a small piece of
cotton placed underneath the nail.
Your health care provider may remove all or part of the
ingrown nail. He or she will use numbing medicine before
doing this. To prevent the nail from becoming ingrown
again, your provider may put a chemical on the nail
growth area, or may surgically remove the growth area.
Your provider may prescribe antibiotics if your toe is
infected.
WHEN CAN I RETURN TO MY SPORT OR ACTIVITY?
You may return to your sport or activity when you no
longer have pain in your toe. It is very important that
your shoes fit well.
HOW CAN I PREVENT AN INGROWN TOENAIL?
