Ingrown Toenail Infection: Comprehensive Care and Prevention Guide

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Caring for an Infected or an Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail is one that grows into the side of the nail bed, causing pain and swelling. Ingrown toenails can worsen, produce discharge, and turn into a serious infection. It’s impossible to ignore when your toe is  red, infected, and in a painful mess. If you are in a lot of discomfort or see an infection in the area around your toe, you should consult a doctor right away.

What causes an infected toenail?

The most prevalent causes of ingrown toenails are:

• Cutting toenails too short
• Toenail injury
• Curved toenails 
• Improper footwear that puts more pressure on your big toes
• Incorrect toenail trimming 
• Certain sports and activities, such as dance, football
• Poor foot hygiene

Infections on your toes may be common if you have diabetes or another illness that limits circulation or compromises your immune system. Diabetics should inspect their feet frequently and contact a podiatrist because a toe infection may not cause pain until it is severe.

How to treat an ingrown toenail infection?

• Except when you’re soaking your feet for treatment, keep your feet dry.
• Using a small, blunt nail file that won’t cut your toe, carefully remove the skin away from the ingrown toenail. To lift the skin away from your nail, insert a little piece of cotton floss or dental floss between your nail and the raised area of skin.
• Put on comforting shoes.
• If you have an ingrown toenail, apply antibiotic ointment on it to prevent infection.
• Use over-the-counter painkillers to relieve pain. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can both help ease the discomfort brought on by an infected toe.

If you believe you have a fungal infection, use an antifungal cream. You can either receive a prescription from your doctor or buy an over-the-counter cream.

When should you see a doctor?

Although there are many things you can do at home to treat an infected toe, it’s crucial to know when you should seek medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or a podiatrist:

• You notice redness, swelling, and/or leakage from your toe.
• You believe you have a fungal infection, but over-the-counter creams haven’t helped.
• You are diabetic and have ingrown toenails
• Bur toenail infection symptoms do not go away, intensify, or keep returning.

If you have a fever and detect red streaks on your skin leading away from the infected spot on your toe, you should seek medical assistance right away because these symptoms suggest a more serious infection.

End Point

However, an infected toenail does not have to disrupt your daily life. You can get back to your favourite hobbies by understanding how to treat an infected toe and when to seek medical attention. If you’re concerned about a toe infection, make an appointment with a podiatrist before attempting to treat the symptoms on your own. 

Medically Reviewed by Dr. G. Saravanakumar