Ingrown Toenail in Adults and Children

Ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis) are a common and often painful condition where the edges of your nails grow into the surrounding skin. Ingrown toenails can easily become infected and the condition should be treated as soon as possible.

Rachel is a highly experienced, gentle, patient and caring podiatrist treating people of all ages for ingrown nails, including young children and teens.

Rachel understands that adults and children alike may feel anxious about treatment for ingrown nails and will do her best to help you feel at ease throughout the process.

Please see below if you want more detailed explanation of ingrown toenails its symptoms, causes and treatment.

Contact the Centre for an appointment on 020 8348 5553

Ingrown Toenail in Adults and Children

Symptoms of ingrown toenail

Your big toe is most likely to have an ingrown toenail but any toe can be affected.

Symptoms can include:

  • Ingrown toenail can be painful. They can start with the skin next to your nail becoming tender.
  • They can be painful on pressure, with fluid building up around the toe.
  • If the toe becomes infected, the skin can become warm, painful, red and swollen or hard.
  • Your toe can bleed and ooze pus.

You need to treat your toe before the symptoms become progressively worse.

Causes of ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenails can occur at any age but are more often found in teenagers and older people.

Ingrown nails can have several causes including:

  • shoes/socks or tights that are too narrow or tight
  • toenail injury
  • cutting toenails incorrectly
  • irregular curved toenails; an inherited trait
  • some rigorous athletic activities
  • nail infections
  • some medical conditions

Treatment of ingrown toenail

An experienced podiatrist can provide treatment and guidance on effectively managing an ingrown nail.

Treatment can include:

  • cutting back the corner of the nail in mild cases of ingrown toenails
  • advice on shoes appropriate for your nail type and foot shape
  • nail cutting techniques
  • medication
  • self-care methods, soaking the foot

In recurrent, longstanding or repeated infections, routine podiatry is unlikely to offer a permanent solution for an ingrown nail. If the toenail does not respond to self-care treatments, you should see an experienced podiatrist straight away and you may need nail surgery. See the Nail surgery page for more information. For other nail problems, see the Toenails page for more information.

If you are diabetic, have any pain and inflammation in your toes, you should see an experienced podiatrist or your doctor immediately.

Rachel is a highly experienced podiatrist who treats many adults and children for ingrowing toenails.

Call 020 8348 5553 to make an appointment 

Rachel Miller’s clinic is at Highgate Podiatry in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square, N6 6BA, London.  Clinics are held every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the clinic’s address, map and directions see the Contact page and for information about orthotic insoles and biomechanics see the Biomechanics page.

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