Ingrown toenail

You usually get an ingrown toenail on your big toe. But you can get them on any toe. Your toe may be red, painful and swollen. Credit: ISM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/520431/view Your toenail may curve into your toe. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/266548/view Your toe can also get infected. Signs of an infected toe include: pus coming out of it you feel hot or shivery

If you go to a GP with an ingrown toenail, they'll usually suggest you try these things first. Do soak your foot in warm, salty water to help soften the skin around your toe and reduce the chances of infection keep your foot dry for the rest of the day wear wide, comfortable shoes or sandals take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain Don’t do not cut your toenail – leave it to grow out do not pick at your toe or toenail do not wear tight, pointy shoes A pharmacist can help with an ingrown toenail You can ask a pharmacist about: treatments to help ease the pain and prevent an infection whether you need to see a GP Find a pharmacy

A GP can: check to see if you have an ingrown toenail give you antibiotics if your toenail is infected If you have a badly ingrown toenail, they may refer you to a foot specialist (podiatrist). Treatment from a foot specialist A podiatrist may offer further treatments, such as: cutting away part of the nail removing the whole nail You may have an injection of local anaesthetic to numb your toe when this is done. Referral to a podiatrist on the NHS may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long. You can pay to see a podiatrist privately. Find a podiatrist

To help stop ingrown toenails: do not cut your toenails too short cut straight across the nail, not the edges do not wear shoes that are too tight or do not fit properly keep your feet clean and dry them thoroughly