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How to Know the Signs of an Ingrown Toenail

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Ingrown toenails, if left untreated, can become infected. Some signs of an ingrown toenail infection are pain, bleeding, and a foul odor. If you determine that an ingrown toenail is infected, you should see a doctor. If you find an ingrown toenail early, you should prevent infection by soaking your feet in warm salt water three times a day. You should prevent ingrown toenails by trimming your toenails properly, buying shoes that fit your feet, and letting your toes “breathe” after sports and exercise.

Symptom check

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Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 1

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Watch for signs of increasing redness around the toenail. The initial symptom of an ingrown toenail is that the skin becomes tender and red. However, you will notice an increasingly pronounced red mark around the toenail if it becomes infected. [1]
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Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 2

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Watch for signs of hot skin. You may feel warmth or heat in the skin of your ingrown toe if you have an infection. Increased skin temperature around the toenail can also be accompanied by a sharp pain. If the infection is severe or untreated, you may develop a fever. [2]
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Watch for signs of green or yellow discharge. Look for pus under the skin near the toenail. Pus is a sure sign of infection. Infected ingrown toenails may have a foul odor accompanied by pus discharge. [3]

  • An infected ingrown toenail looks like a red area surrounding a patch of light (white) skin.
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Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 4

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Go to a doctor. If you have an infection, you need to see a doctor. Your doctor can diagnose and treat the infection. Treatment depends on the severity and may include soaking the feet in warm water, taking antibiotics, or removing the ingrown toenail if the infection is severe. [4]

  • See your doctor or podiatrist right away if you have diabetes, AIDS, poor circulation, are undergoing chemotherapy, or have a weakened immune system.
  • In addition, immediate medical attention should be sought if an ingrown toenail is persistent and chronic with diabetes combined with an immunocompromised condition, or an ingrown toenail affects nerves or sensation in the feet, or when signs of infection such as discharge, redness, pain, or swelling appear. [5]

Treatment of ingrown toenails without infection

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Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 5

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Soak your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. Add Epsom salts or mild soap to the water to help clean nails. Soaking your toes will help reduce pain and redness. It also helps soften the toenail and the skin around the ingrown toenail. [6]

  • Make sure to dry the skin around the ingrown toenail before proceeding to the next step.
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Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 6

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Roll up a small piece of gauze or cotton with your fingers. Roll gauze or cotton into a small tube, then use it to push the skin on the ingrown nail down and pull the skin away from the nail. Place the small cotton roll between the skin and the toenail. This will help lift the nail up and prevent the nail from growing deeper into the skin. [7]

  • Secure the cotton roll by wrapping it with medical gauze.
  • This step can be painful but essential. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Ibuprofen or Tylenp to control pain.
  • You can apply a topical antibiotic such as Neosporin to prevent infection.
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Soak your feet 2-3 times a day. Change the cotton roll each time you soak your feet. Each day, try to insert the cotton roll deeper. Repeat the process until the nail grows past the tip of the toe. It can take 1-2 weeks for the toenail to grow back out. [8]

  • If you don’t see improvement or signs of an infection develop, you should see your doctor.
  • You may need to wear sandals until the toenail is completely healed.

Prevent ingrown toenails

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Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 8

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Do not cut your toenails too close. And try not to round the edge of the nail. Instead, you should cut across and not cut the edge of the nail. The angle of the nail should be clearly visible on the skin. [9]
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Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 9

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Buy shoes that fit your feet. Shoes (and socks) can squeeze the toes together and cause an ingrown toenail. Make sure you can freely move your feet while wearing the shoes. If not, you should buy new shoes or try other shoes. [10]

  • Tight shoes such as heels and pointed toes can cause ingrown toenails.
  • Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 10

    Image titled Tell if an Ingrown Toenail Is Infected Step 10

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    Let your toes breathe. People who exercise or play sports regularly, especially sports that cause damage to their toes like soccer and ballet, are very susceptible to ingrown toenails. After these activities, you should take off your shoes and socks and let your feet breathe for 1-2 hours. You can help your feet breathe by wearing sandals or going barefoot after a workout. [11]

    • Also, washing and thoroughly wiping your toes and feet after strenuous physical activity can help reduce the risk of an ingrown toenail.
    • Using cotton socks instead of synthetic socks can help your toes and feet breathe more easily.
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    • Ingrown toenails, if left untreated, can become infected. Some signs of an ingrown toenail infection are pain, bleeding, and a foul odor. If you determine that an ingrown toenail is infected, you should see a doctor. If you find an ingrown toenail early, you should prevent infection by soaking your feet in warm salt water three times a day. You should prevent ingrown toenails by trimming your toenails properly, buying shoes that fit your feet, and letting your toes “breathe” after sports and exercise.

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