How To Fix In Grown Toe Nail? Your Complete Beginner Guide

An ingrown toenail happens when the corner or side of a nail grows into the soft skin next to it. For most mild cases, you can treat it at home by soaking your foot in warm salty water and gently lifting the nail edge. But if you see signs of infection — like pus, increasing redness, or severe pain — you need a doctor. This guide walks you through safe home care, when to seek medical treatment, and how to prevent it from coming back.

What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?

The most common cause is cutting your toenails too short or rounding the corners. When the nail is trimmed below the tip of the toe, the skin can roll over the nail edge as it grows forward. The nail then digs into the skin instead of growing straight out.

Tight shoes, stubbing your toe, or repeated pressure from running can also push the nail into the skin. Some people naturally have curved nails that are more likely to become ingrown. Genetics plays a role — if your parents had ingrown nails, you are more likely to have them too.

What Are the Signs of an Infected Ingrown Toenail?

Early signs include pain, swelling, and redness along the side of the nail. The area may feel warm to the touch. As the condition gets worse, you may see clear or yellow fluid (pus) coming from the nail fold. The skin may grow over the nail edge, a condition called granulation tissue.

If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system, any toe infection is more serious. See a doctor promptly if you have these conditions and develop an ingrown nail — do not try to treat it at home alone.

How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail at Home

For mild cases with no pus or spreading redness, home care is usually enough. Soak your foot in warm water with a small amount of table salt or Epsom salts for 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times a day. This softens the skin and nail and helps reduce swelling.

After soaking, gently lift the ingrown nail edge. Use a clean piece of dental floss or a small cotton wick. Slide it under the nail corner to encourage the nail to grow above the skin. Change the wick daily. Do not dig or cut the nail edge yourself — that often makes things worse.

Keep the area dry between soaks. Wear open-toed shoes or sandals if possible. Avoid tight footwear. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with discomfort, but follow the label directions.

When Should You See a Doctor?

See a doctor if home care does not improve the pain after three days, or if you see pus, increasing redness, or red streaks spreading up your foot or leg. Fever with a toe infection is also a sign you need medical help.

If you have diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or any condition that reduces blood flow to your feet, see a doctor at the first sign of an ingrown nail. Home treatment is not recommended for these situations because the infection can spread quickly and become serious.

How Do Doctors Treat an Ingrown Toenail?

For a mildly ingrown nail with infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics and advise continued soaking. For a recurring or severely ingrown nail, a minor in-office procedure is common. The doctor numbs the toe with a local anesthetic, then removes the ingrown nail edge or a small section of the nail.

To prevent regrowth, the doctor may apply a chemical (phenol) to the nail bed to stop that part of the nail from growing back. This is called partial nail avulsion with matrixectomy. It has a high success rate — well over 90 percent — and most people return to regular activities within a few days.

Some doctors use a laser instead of phenol. The evidence for laser is less established, and phenol remains the standard treatment in most podiatry practices.

Can You Prevent Ingrown Toenails?

Cut your toenails straight across, not curved to match the shape of your toe. Leave the nail edge slightly longer than the tip of the toe. File any sharp corners gently with a nail file, but do not round them.

Wear shoes that give your toes enough room. Shoes that are too narrow or too short in the toe box can press the nail into the skin. If you run or play sports, buy athletic shoes that are a half-size larger than your dress shoes.

If you have naturally curved nails, soak your feet after wearing tight shoes or after exercise. Keep the nail edges clean and dry. Some podiatrists recommend using a small piece of cotton or dental floss under the corner of the nail as a preventive measure before it becomes ingrown.