An infected ingrown toenail can cause redness, swelling and pain around the toe, making it difficult to wear certain shoes. Standing or walking may also become uncomfortable. Fortunately, ingrown toenail infection treatment is often straightforward, especially when care begins early.
In most cases, you can treat an infected ingrown toenail at home with proper care. However, if you’re wondering what to do if my ingrown toenail is infected and you’re experiencing severe pain, worsening swelling or signs of infection in the surrounding tissue, it’s best to seek medical evaluation.
Our infected ingrown toenail treatment guide is here to help you decide whether your symptoms can be managed at home or if it’s time to see a doctor.
What causes an infected toenail?
Paronychia is the medical term for a skin infection around a toenail. Bacteria growing into the skin are usually the culprit, although fungal infections of the toenail are also possible. An infected ingrown toenail is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care.
Your infected toe could be caused by one of the following:
- You often submerge your toes in water.
- You have a callus, which is thickened skin caused by rubbing against your shoe.
- You’ve contracted a fungus, possibly by walking barefoot in public showers or locker rooms.
- You have an infected ingrown toenail.
- You’ve trimmed your toenails too short or cut the cuticle too close to the nail.
Diabetes increases your risk of developing an infected toe. Damage to your blood vessels can make it more difficult for your body to fight off infections caused by high blood sugar. If you’re wondering what to do for an infected ingrown toenail, people with diabetes should seek medical evaluation early because minor trauma can progress quickly due to reduced circulation and nerve damage.
Toe infections are also more common in people with weakened immune systems, including those living with HIV or those who have undergone organ transplants.
Infected Ingrown Toenail Symptoms
The following are signs that you may have an infected ingrown toenail or another toenail infection:
- There is a slightly foul smell.
- Nail discoloration caused by the accumulation of dirt and debris under the nail.
- Nail deformity.
- Rough, crumbly or brittle nail.
- Discoloration ranging from white to yellow-brown.
- Thickened nail.
Prevention
To help prevent an infected ingrown toenail, follow these steps:
- Make sure your toes are in good condition. If you have diabetes, check your feet daily for any signs of injury or infection.
- Wear sturdy shoes. If your job puts your toes at risk of injury, steel-toed shoes can help protect them.
- Wear properly fitted shoes that give your toes enough room. Shoes that are too tight or pinch your toes can increase the risk of an infected ingrown toenail by forcing the nail into the surrounding skin. If you have foot nerve damage, have your shoes professionally fitted whenever possible.
- Keep your toenails at a reasonable length. Cutting them too short can increase pressure from your shoes and raise the risk of developing an infected ingrown toenail.
- Trim your toenails straight across instead of rounding the corners. This simple habit can help prevent an ingrown toenail infection. If you have your nails done at a salon, ask your pedicurist to trim them straight across. If you can’t safely trim your own nails, a podiatrist can do it for you.
Ingrown Toenail Infection Risks
Treating and preventing an infected ingrown toenail is especially important if you have diabetes, vascular disease or numbness in your feet. If you’re wondering what to do if your ingrown toenail is infected, don’t delay care. Infected ingrown toenail treatment should begin early because an untreated infection can worsen over time and lead to serious complications.
The following are examples of potential complications:
- Amputation
- Gangrene
- Urethritis
- Infection of the bones
How to Treat an Infected Ingrown Toenail
Home treatment for an infected ingrown toenail is often possible if you can safely lift the edge of the nail that’s growing into your skin. Knowing how to treat an infected ingrown toenail early may help prevent the infection from getting worse.
Below are some tips to treat an infected ingrown toenail:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease discomfort and swelling.
- Apply an antibiotic or antifungal cream to the nail and surrounding skin as directed.
- Soak your toe in warm water with Epsom salts or coarse salt to soften the area. This may help drain pus and relieve pain.
- Don’t pull or yank on your nail, no matter how tempting it may be. If you gently lift the skin with a piece of dental floss, avoid using force and wash your hands thoroughly beforehand.
- If you’re unsure what to do for an infected ingrown toenail or the infection doesn’t improve, see your doctor. They may lift the nail more easily, making topical antibiotic treatment more effective.
The following are examples of infected ingrown toenail treatment your doctor might recommend:
- Surgical treatment for a severe or recurring ingrown toenail.
- Trimming or removing the ingrown portion of the nail.
- Placing antibiotic-soaked gauze under the nail to help prevent infection and encourage healthy nail growth.
Your doctor may also order blood tests to determine whether the infection has spread deeper into the tissue.
Other assessments may include:
- Bone scan
- MRI
- X-ray
If you’re at risk of osteomyelitis, a rare but serious bone infection, your doctor may also recommend a bone biopsy.
When to See a Doctor
Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve within a few days or if your infected ingrown toenail is getting worse.
If you notice an ingrown toenail, seek medical care as soon as possible if you have:
- An infection
- Anemia
- Poor blood circulation
- Severe nerve damage
- Diabetes
What’s the Best Thing to Do?
Ingrown toenails are common and can cause pain, swelling and infection. If you’re wondering what to do with an infected ingrown toenail, keeping your feet clean and dry, trimming your nails properly and wearing well-fitting shoes can help prevent future problems. However, home treatment for an infected ingrown toenail isn’t always enough, especially if symptoms continue to worsen.
If the nail becomes infected, the pain is severe or the toenail is deeply ingrown, infected ingrown toenail treatment may include partial nail removal and other medical procedures.
If you’re asking, can I go to the ER for an ingrown toenail or will the ER remove an ingrown toenail, the answer is yes, especially when you have severe pain, a spreading infection, significant swelling or drainage. In serious cases, seek emergency medical care right away. Learn more about ER for ingrown toenail treatment by contacting Rapid Care Emergency.
Frequently Asked questions
Can I go to the ER for an ingrown toenail?
Yes, You should visit the ER if your ingrown toenail is severely infected, causes intense pain, has pus, rapidly spreading redness, fever or bleeding that won’t stop. People with diabetes or poor circulation should seek prompt medical evaluation to prevent serious complications.
What should I do if my ingrown toenail is infected?
Start by soaking your foot in warm water, keeping the area clean and avoiding tight shoes or digging into the nail. If redness, swelling, pus or pain worsens after a day or two, seek medical care. Early infected ingrown toenail treatment helps prevent deeper infection.
Will the ER remove an ingrown toenail?
Yes, If an ingrown toenail is severely painful or infected, an ER provider may remove part of the nail, drain an abscess if needed and prescribe medication. The exact treatment depends on the severity of the infection and your overall health.
Can an infected ingrown toenail heal on its own?
A mild ingrown toenail may improve with proper home care, but an infected ingrown toenail often needs medical treatment. If you notice pus, increasing redness, swelling, fever or worsening pain, don’t wait because the infection can spread into deeper tissues.
How do I know if my ingrown toenail is infected?
Common signs include redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, pus or drainage, a bad odor and increasing pain around the nail. If walking becomes difficult or the redness continues to spread, you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Can an ingrown toenail become dangerous if left untreated?
Yes, Although most cases are treatable, delaying care can allow the infection to spread into nearby skin, soft tissue or, in rare cases, bone. The risk is much higher for people with diabetes, weakened immunity or poor circulation, making prompt treatment especially important.