Ingrown Toenail
A mechanical nail problem, usually affecting the big toe, that responds well to prompt, appropriate care.
Book a Nail EvaluationPainful, red, or swollen skin at the edge of a toenail?
This is a common presentation of an ingrown toenail -- an evaluation assesses severity and whether conservative treatment or a minor procedure is appropriate.
Ingrown toenails that keep recurring?
Recurrent cases may benefit from a minor in-clinic procedure to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
What Is It?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, most commonly affecting the big toe, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes infection if left untreated. It’s largely a mechanical problem, often related to how nails are trimmed, footwear choice, or the natural curve of the nail.
Early or mild cases often respond well to conservative measures and improved nail care — trimming straight across rather than in a curve, and avoiding overly tight footwear. For ingrown nails that recur despite this, a minor in-clinic procedure addressing the nail edge directly reduces the likelihood of the problem returning.
Risk Factors
- Trimming nails too short or with rounded edges instead of straight across
- Tight-fitting footwear
- Nail trauma or a naturally curved nail shape
Symptoms
- Pain and tenderness at the nail edge, usually the big toe
- Redness and swelling of the surrounding skin
- Signs of infection -- pus or increasing redness -- in more advanced cases
Treatment
- Conservative Management: For early or mild cases, conservative measures and proper nail care are often sufficient.
- In-Clinic Procedure: For recurrent or more severe cases, a minor procedure to address the underlying nail edge and reduce recurrence.
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