Ingrown Toenail: How to Care for Your Child

An ingrown toenail is when the side or corner of a nail grows into the skin of the toe. The skin around the toe can be red, swollen, and painful. Sometimes it gets infected. With treatment, the infection and ingrown toenail will go away. And basic foot care can prevent it from coming back.

• Soak your child's foot in warm soapy water for 10–20 minutes two or three times a day for 1–2 weeks. Instead of soap, you can also use 1–2 teaspoons of Epsom salts (found in drugstores) mixed in water.

• Have your child wear wide, open-toe shoes or go barefoot as much as possible while the ingrown toenail heals.

• If your health care provider:

  • Put tape, cotton, or floss under the corner of the nail to prevent it from going into the skin, follow their directions for taking it out and replacing it.

  • Cut out the ingrown toenail, follow any special directions for cleaning the area.

• Follow your health care provider's instructions for:

  • Using any medicines.

  • When your child can return to running, sports, and other activities.

  • Giving medicine for pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Follow the directions on the label for how much to give and how often. 

• Symptoms don't improve within 2 weeks.

• The skin around the toe becomes redder, more painful, or swollen.

• Pus continues to drain from around the toenail.

• Your child gets a fever.

How does an ingrown toenail happen? It happens when one or both corners of the nail push into and break the skin of the toe. This can lead to irritation and infection caused by the bacteria that live on the feet getting into the skin. The toe may become painful, swollen, red, or warm, and sometimes pus drains from the area.

What causes ingrown toenails? They usually happen from cutting the nails incorrectly; for example, cutting them too short or round. Wearing shoes that are too narrow or small can also cause an ingrown toenail. They also can happen after a toe injury or from repeating the same activity, like running or kicking a soccer ball.

What can prevent ingrown toenails? To prevent another ingrown toenail, kids should cut toenails straight across (not curved), not cut them too short, and not pick at their toenails. They should wear shoes that fit well and are wide enough across the toes.