Ingrown toenail
Overview
An ingrown toenail is a common problem where the nail grows into the toe. It can be painful, but there are things you can do to ease the pain.
Symptoms
You usually get an ingrown toenail on your big toe. But you can get them on any toe. Your toe can also get infected. Signs of an infected toe include: pus coming out of ityou feel hot or shivery
Treatment
If you go to a GP with an ingrown toenail, they'll usually suggest you try these things first. soak your foot in warm, salty water to help soften the skin around your toe and reduce the chances of infection soak your foot in warm, salty water to help soften the skin around your toe and reduce the chances of infection keep your foot dry for the rest of the day keep your foot dry for the rest of the day wear wide, comfortable shoes or sandals wear wide, comfortable shoes or sandals takeparacetamoloribuprofento ease the pain takeparacetamoloribuprofento ease the pain do not cut your toenail – leave it to grow out do not cut your toenail – leave it to grow out do not pick at your toe or toenail do not pick at your toe or toenail do not wear tight, pointy shoes do not wear tight, pointy shoes A GP can: check to see if you have an ingrown toenailgive you antibiotics if your toenail is infected If you have a badly ingrown toenail, they may refer you to a foot specialist (podiatrist). A podiatrist may offer further treatments, such as: cutting away part of the nailremoving the whole nail You may have an injection of local anaesthetic to numb your toe when this is done. Referral to a podiatrist on the NHS may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long. You can pay to see a podiatrist privately.
Prevention
To help stop ingrown toenails: do not cut your toenails too shortcut straight across the nail, not the edgesdo not wear shoes that are too tight or do not fit properlykeep your feet clean and dry them thoroughly