Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail happens when the skin around the edge of your child’s big toe becomes red, swollen, and tender. This often occurs when the toenail, especially that of the big toe, grows into the surrounding skin. It can even lead to an infection if not caught early.

To help prevent ingrown toenails, make sure your child wears shoes that fit well and are not too tight, like cowboy boots. That’s because shoes that are too tight or too short can squeeze the toes, pushing the nail into the skin.

When trimming your child’s toenails, always trim them straight across, and avoid cutting them too short or rounding the edges. Otherwise, the skin on the sides can cover the nail’s corners, making the nail grow into the skin.

For treatment at home, soak the affected foot twice daily in warm water mixed with antibacterial soap or Epsom salts. Gently massage the swollen area away from the nail while soaking. You can also gently place a small piece of cotton under the corner of the nail to help keep it from digging into the skin.

If there’s swelling or drainage, apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin 2-3 times a day. If the cuticle is just irritated but not swollen, you might not need the ointment.

Encourage your child to wear sandals to avoid pressure on the toe while it heals. Newborns often get ingrown toenails, and massaging their little toes daily and cutting nails straight across can help.

In some cases, if the toenail keeps getting ingrown or becomes seriously infected, our doctor might need to trim or remove part of the nail. But don’t worry - they'll ensure your child is comfortable during the procedure.

Call us right away if your child develops a fever over 101°F, has chills, or if a red streak spreads beyond the toe. You can also get in touch with us if you notice pus or yellow drainage, if the symptoms aren’t improving, or if they don’t get better in two weeks.