A toenail, usually of the big toe, can become ingrown when the side or corner of the nail grows into the flesh of the toe. Symptoms include pain in the toe along one or both sides of the nail, redness around the nail and swelling of the toe by the nail. Infection can also develop in the affected tissue. Often you can treat an ingrown toenail at home, but if it becomes infected or is causing severe pain, you should consult a doctor.
Soaking
Home remedies include soaking the affected foot in warm water 3 to 4 times a day for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, keeping the foot dry the rest of the time. Wear comfortable shoes or sandals which allow plenty of room for your toes. The MayoClinic.com website also recommends applying an antibiotic cream to the toe fight off infection.
Cotton
After soaking your foot, you can gently lift the edge of the nail where it is embedded in the skin and insert fresh pieces of cotton. This separates the nail from the skin, helping it to grow above the edge of the skin. Replace the cotton with a fresh dressing daily.
Surgical Treatment
An infected ingrown toenail may require that your doctor remove the part of the nail that is ingrown, after first injecting your toe with an anesthetic. If you have a recurrent problem with an ingrown toenail problem, it may be necessary for your doctor to remove not only part of the toenail, but some of the nail bed, or tissue beneath the nail. The procedure can be performed through the use of a chemical or a laser.
Medication
If your toe is causing severe pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help with pain until you can get an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic if your toe is infected or likely to become infected. Be sure to take all the medication as prescribed, even if your toe improves within a couple of days.
Precautions
Don't try to perform your own surgery. Repeatedly cutting the nail borders can cause even more problems, according to Foot Health Facts, a website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Ingrown toenails can be particularly dangerous for those people with diabetes, poor circulation or nerve problems of the leg or feet, states the MedlinePlus website. If you have any of these disorders, if your toe is causing a great deal of pain or if there are signs of infection, you should contact a medical professional immediately.
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