Ingrown toenail (Onychocryptosis)

A toenail grown into the skin, can affect adults and children. If you or your child's ingrown toenail isn't getting better, we can help to treat it.

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About ingrown toenails

An ingrown toenail happens when the side of a toenail grows into the skin surrounding it, leaving it red and swollen. Ingrown toenails can happen for a number of reasons, from wearing tight shoes to sweaty feet as well as poor nail cutting techniques. If your symptoms don't improve, following simple changes we can help.

Need to know

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails are quite common, especially in teens and young adults. You or your child's symptoms might include:

pain when pressure is placed on the affected toe
swollen skin around the affected toe
build-up of fluid surrounding the toe
overgrowth of skin around the toe
pus from the affected area

How is an ingrown toenail diagnosed?

Your GP, foot and ankle specialist (an orthopaedic surgeon) or podiatrist (foot care specialist) will discuss your symptoms with you and examine your or your child's affected toe.

Potential treatment options

Making simple changes, like changing your or your child's footwear or cutting your or their nails properly, may help to relieve the symptoms. If the ingrown toenail isn't getting better, your GP, foot and ankle specialist (orthopaedic surgeon) or podiatrist may recommend surgery. This might include removing part of your toenail (partial nail avulsion) or removing your whole toenail (total nail avulsion).