Ingrown Toe Nail

If you trim your toenails too short, particularly on the sides of your big toes, you may set the stage for an ingrown toenail. Like many people, when you trim your toenails, you may taper the corners so that the nail curves with the shape of your toe. But this technique may encourage your toenail to grow into the skin of your toe. The sides of the nail curl down and dig into your skin. An ingrown toenail may also happen if you wear shoes that are too tight or too short.

When you first have an ingrown toenail, it may be hard, swollen and tender. Later, it may get red and infected, and feel very sore. Ingrown toenails are a common, painful condition—particularly among teenagers. Any of your toenails can become ingrown, but the problem more often affects the big toe.

Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they are recognized. If they are recognized early, home care may prevent the need for further treatment.


If excessive inflammation, swelling, pain and discharge are present, the toenail is probably infected and should be treated by a physician. The plastic surgeon will surgically remove a portion of the nail, a portion of the underlying nail bed, some of the adjacent soft tissues and even a part of the growth center. Due to this special plastic surgery technique the ingrown toenail does not need to be removed completely as this increases the likelihood your toenail will come back deformed and it may take 3-4 months for your nail to regrow.