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What is an ingrowing toenail?
An ingrowing toenail, also called an ingrown toenail, happens when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the skin beside it. This usually affects the big toe, although it can happen on any toe. It can become sore, red, and swollen.
The problem often starts small, but it can quickly become more painful if the skin becomes irritated or infected. Walking, wearing shoes, or even touching the toe may cause discomfort. In more severe cases, there may be pus or bleeding.
What causes it?
One common cause is cutting toenails too short or rounding the edges. This can encourage the nail to grow into the surrounding skin as it grows out. Tight shoes and socks can also press the nail into the skin.
Other causes include injury to the toe, naturally curved nails, and feet that sweat a lot. Some people are more likely to get ingrowing toenails because of the shape of their nails or the way they walk. It can also happen more often in teenagers and young adults.
What are the symptoms?
The first sign is usually pain or tenderness along one side of the nail. The skin may look red and feel warm or swollen. The toe can become uncomfortable when pressure is applied.
If the area becomes infected, symptoms may get worse. You might notice more swelling, discharge, or a build-up of pus. The toe may also smell unpleasant or throb continuously.
How is it usually treated?
Mild cases can sometimes be managed at home by soaking the foot in warm water and keeping the area clean and dry. Wearing roomy footwear can help reduce pressure on the toe. It is also important not to dig into the nail or cut it further down the side.
If the pain is severe or the toe looks infected, a GP or podiatrist may need to treat it. In some cases, part of the nail is removed to relieve the pressure. If the problem keeps coming back, a minor procedure may be offered to stop that section of nail from growing back.
When should you get medical help?
You should contact a GP or NHS 111 if the toe is very painful, infected, or not improving. Medical advice is especially important if you have diabetes, poor circulation, or problems with your immune system. These conditions can make foot problems more serious.
Getting treatment early can prevent the ingrowing toenail from becoming worse. It can also reduce the chance of infection and make it easier to get back to normal activities.
What is an ingrowing toenail?
An ingrowing toenail is when the edge of the nail grows into the skin next to it. This usually happens on the big toe, but it can happen on any toe. It can hurt, go red, and become swollen.
It may start as a small problem. But it can get worse if the skin gets sore or infected. Walking, putting on shoes, or touching the toe may hurt. In bad cases, there may be pus or bleeding.
What causes it?
One common cause is cutting toenails too short. Rounding the edges can also make the nail grow into the skin.
Tight shoes and socks can push the nail into the skin. Other causes include a bump or injury to the toe, nails that curve naturally, and feet that sweat a lot. Some people are more likely to get this problem because of the shape of their nails or the way they walk. It can happen more often in teenagers and young adults.
What are the symptoms?
The first sign is often pain or tenderness on one side of the nail. The skin may look red, feel warm, or be swollen. The toe may hurt more when something presses on it.
If the toe gets infected, the symptoms can get worse. There may be more swelling, wetness, or pus. The toe may smell bad or throb all the time.
How is it usually treated?
Small problems can sometimes be helped at home. Soak the foot in warm water and keep the toe clean and dry. Wear loose shoes so there is less pressure on the toe. Do not dig into the nail or cut down the side.
If the pain is strong or the toe looks infected, a GP or foot specialist may need to help. Sometimes they remove part of the nail to ease the pain. If it keeps coming back, a small procedure may be done so that part of the nail does not grow back.
Helpful tools and tips: use a bowl for warm water soaks, wear open or wide shoes if you can, and use a mirror to check the toe if it is hard to see. A family member or carer can help with cleaning and checks if needed.
When should you get medical help?
Contact a GP or NHS 111 if the toe is very painful, infected, or not getting better.
Get medical advice quickly if you have diabetes, poor blood flow, or problems with your immune system. These can make foot problems more serious.
Getting help early can stop the problem getting worse. It can also lower the chance of infection and help you get back to normal activities sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
An ingrowing toenail, also called an ingrown toenail, happens when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling.
Common causes include trimming nails too short or with rounded edges, tight shoes, toe injury, and naturally curved toenails.
The big toe is affected most often, but any toenail can become ingrown.
Typical symptoms include pain along the nail edge, redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes drainage or infection.
Yes. If the skin is broken, bacteria can enter and cause infection, leading to pus, increasing pain, warmth, and more swelling.
It can be mild at first, but it may become serious if infection develops or if it keeps coming back, especially in people with diabetes or poor circulation.
It is usually diagnosed by examining the toe and asking about symptoms, nail trimming habits, footwear, and any recent injury.
Mild cases may improve with warm soaks, keeping the toe clean and dry, wearing roomy shoes, and avoiding pressure on the nail.
It is not recommended to dig into or cut out the nail edge yourself, because this can worsen the problem or cause infection.
See a doctor if pain is severe, there is pus or spreading redness, you have diabetes, or home care does not help within a few days.
Treatment may include lifting the nail edge, trimming part of the nail, treating infection, or in recurring cases removing part of the nail.
Yes. It can recur if nail trimming habits, shoe fit, or nail shape continue to put pressure on the toe.
Prevention includes cutting toenails straight across, avoiding very short trimming, wearing well-fitting shoes, and protecting toes from injury.
Yes. Tight or narrow shoes can squeeze the toes and push the nail into the surrounding skin.
Yes. Children and teenagers can develop ingrown toenails, often from nail trimming, sports injuries, or tight footwear.
Yes, and they should seek medical advice sooner because foot infections can become more serious in diabetes.
No. An ingrowing toenail is a nail growing into the skin, while a fungal nail infection changes the nail itself and does not usually cause the same edge pain.
Mild cases sometimes improve on their own if pressure is reduced and the area stays clean, but persistent cases may need treatment.
It often looks like red, swollen skin along one side of the nail, with the nail edge pressing into or piercing the skin.
Recovery depends on severity and treatment. Mild cases may improve in days to a week, while after minor procedures healing may take one to several weeks.
An ingrowing toenail happens when the edge of a toenail grows into the skin around it.
This can make your toe sore, red, and swollen.
It can help to wear roomy shoes, keep your feet clean, and cut your toenails straight across.
Common reasons are cutting toenails too short, or rounding the edges. Tight shoes can also cause this. A toe injury can be a cause too. Some people have toenails that curve naturally.
The big toe is hurt most often.
But any toenail can grow into the skin.
Common signs are:
- Pain near the edge of the nail
- Red skin
- Swelling
- Soreness when touched
- Sometimes liquid coming out or signs of infection
Yes. If the skin is broken, germs can get in. This can cause an infection.
An infection can make the area have pus. It can also cause more pain, heat, and swelling.
If you are worried, tell a doctor, nurse, or another trusted adult. A picture chart or simple notes can help you explain the problem.
It may start as a small problem.
But it can get worse if it becomes infected.
It can also get worse if it keeps coming back.
This is more likely in people with diabetes or poor blood flow.
It may help to check the area often. Use good light, and ask someone to help if needed.
If you are worried, speak to a doctor or nurse.
It is usually found by looking at the toe and asking about signs, nail cutting habits, shoes, and any recent injury.
Mild cases may get better with warm water soaks. Keep the toe clean and dry. Wear shoes that are wide and roomy. Try not to press on the nail.
It is not a good idea to dig into or cut out the edge of the nail yourself. This can make the problem worse. It can also cause an infection.
See a doctor if the pain is very bad.
See a doctor if there is pus.
See a doctor if the redness is spreading.
See a doctor if you have diabetes.
See a doctor if home care does not help after a few days.
If reading is hard, ask someone you trust to help you understand this message.
Treatment may include gently lifting the nail edge. A doctor may trim part of the nail. If there is an infection, it will be treated. If the problem keeps coming back, part of the nail may be removed.
Yes. It can come back.
This can happen if:
- you cut your nails in a way that causes problems
- your shoes are too tight
- the shape of your nail puts pressure on your toe
Helpful tips:
- cut nails straight across
- wear shoes that fit well and do not squeeze your toes
- check your feet often
If you are not sure, ask a nurse, doctor, or foot care worker for help.
To help stop this problem, cut toenails straight across. Do not cut them too short. Wear shoes that fit well. Keep toes safe from knocks and injuries.
Yes. Shoes that are too tight or too narrow can press on your toes. This can push the nail into the skin around it.
Yes. Children and teenagers can get ingrown toenails.
This can happen if:
- the nail is cut too short
- they hurt their toe in sport
- their shoes are too tight
It can help to keep nails cut straight across. Use good light, and ask an adult to help if needed. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help.
Yes. They should get medical advice soon. Foot infections can get worse more quickly for people with diabetes.
No.
An ingrowing toenail happens when the nail grows into the skin. This can hurt, especially at the edge of the nail.
A fungal nail infection is different. It changes the nail itself. It does not usually cause the same pain at the edge.
If you are unsure, ask a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for help. They can check it for you. A picture, diagram, or magnifying glass may help you look at the nail more clearly.
Sometimes mild cases get better by themselves. This can happen if the pressure is taken away and the area is kept clean.
If the problem keeps happening, treatment may be needed.
The skin by one side of the nail may look red and swollen. The edge of the nail can press into the skin or go into it.
Recovery time can be different for each person. It depends on how bad the problem is and what treatment you have.
If the problem is mild, you may feel better in a few days to one week. If you have a small procedure, healing may take one to several weeks.
It can help to rest, follow your care plan, and ask someone to explain anything that is not clear. Writing down key points can also help.
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