How to Recognize the Signs of an Infected Ingrown Toenail

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected. Common signs of infection include pain, bleeding, and a foul odor. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention. To prevent infection, soak the affected foot in warm saltwater three times a day. Additionally, prevent ingrown toenails by trimming nails properly, wearing well-fitting shoes, and allowing your toes to breathe after sports and exercise.

Pay attention to increasing redness around the toenail. The initial sign of an ingrown toenail is soft, red skin. However, if infected, the redness around the toenail will become more pronounced.

Be aware of skin warmth. You might feel warmth or heat in the toe area with an ingrown toenail if infected. The skin temperature around the toenail may rise, often accompanied by sharp pain. If the infection is severe or untreated, you might also develop a fever.

Look for signs of green or yellow pus. Check for pus beneath the skin near the toenail. Pus is a clear indicator of infection. An infected ingrown toenail can emit a foul odor along with the pus discharge.

• The infected area will appear as a red, swollen patch of skin surrounding a pale (white) area.

Visit a doctor for a check-up. If infected, it is essential to consult a doctor. The doctor can diagnose and treat the infection. The treatment depends on the severity, which may include soaking the foot in warm water, using antibiotics, or removing the ingrown toenail if the infection is severe.

• Visit a doctor immediately if you have diabetes, AIDS, poor blood circulation, are undergoing chemotherapy, or have a weakened immune system.
• Additionally, seek medical attention if the ingrown toenail becomes chronic, particularly in diabetic patients with a weakened immune system, if it affects the nerves or sensations in the foot, or if there are signs of infection like pus, redness, pain, or swelling.

Soak your foot in warm water for about 10 minutes. Add Epsom salt or mild soap to the water to help clean the toenail. Soaking your toe will relieve pain and reduce redness. This method also softens the toenail and the skin around the ingrown toenail.

• Ensure you dry the skin around the ingrown toenail before proceeding to the next step.

Roll a small piece of gauze or cotton with your finger. Roll the gauze or cotton into a small tube, then use it to push the skin over the ingrown toenail downward and pull the skin away from the nail. Place the small cotton roll between the skin and the toenail. This method helps lift the nail and prevents it from growing further into the skin.

• Secure the cotton roll with medical gauze.
• This step may cause pain but is essential. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Tylenol to manage the pain.
• Apply topical antibiotics like Neosporin to prevent infection.

Soak your foot 2-3 times a day. Change the cotton roll each time you soak your foot. Each day, try to push the cotton roll deeper. Repeat the process until the toenail grows beyond the tip of the toe. It may take 1-2 weeks for the toenail to grow back out.

• If you see no improvement or signs of infection develop, you should visit a doctor.
• You may need to wear sandals until the toenail heals completely.

Do not cut your toenails too short. Also, avoid cutting the edges of your toenails in a rounded shape. Instead, you should cut them straight across without trimming the sides. The corners of the nails should be visible above the skin.

Buy properly fitting shoes. Shoes (and socks) can squeeze your toes together, leading to ingrown toenails. Ensure that you can comfortably move your toes when wearing shoes. If not, you should purchase new shoes or try different ones.

• Ill-fitting shoes like high heels and pointed-toe shoes can cause ingrown toenails.

Give your toes a break. People who exercise or play sports regularly, especially those involving potential foot injuries like soccer and ballet, are more prone to ingrown toenails. After such activities, it's important to remove your shoes and socks to let your feet breathe for 1-2 hours. You can help your feet breathe by wearing sandals or going barefoot after your workout.

• Additionally, thoroughly washing and drying your toes and feet after strenuous physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing an ingrown toenail.
• Opting for cotton socks instead of synthetic ones can help your toes and feet stay more breathable.