How to Prevent an Ingrown Toenail Infection

If you’ve ever looked at your toenails and thought they looked like little shields, you’ve noticed one of their primary functions. These hard shells of keratin protect the skin and bone of your toes from crushing and stubbing, while also contributing to sensory information and balance. 

At Hudson Valley Foot Associates, we see plenty of ingrown toenails, a problem that develops when the hard edge of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the foot. It’s a common condition that usually isn’t serious and can be treated at home. 

Preventing infection is an important part of caring for an ingrown nail. Let’s look at how to care for your ingrown nail, including the necessary steps to prevent infection. 

Some ingrown toenail problems require professional care, so contact the nearest of our locations in Kingston, New Windsor, Wappingers Falls, Hudson, and West Coxsackie, New York for advanced ingrown toenail care. 

Ingrown toenail basics

While any toe can develop an ingrown nail, the big toe with its larger, thicker nail suffers the most. Ingrown nails develop when the edges of the nail undercut the skin along the sides of the nail bed. 

Common causes include nail damage and trimming your nails with rounded edges. Pieces of split nails can also stay attached or tucked under the skin, contributing to irritation and inflammation. 

Footwear can crowd your toes or lack toe protection. For some people, ingrown nails are a matter of their unique foot anatomy. 

Discomfort or pain is usually the first sign of trouble. By this point, there is usually some redness or discoloration in the area. 

As the problem becomes more severe, you may see increased swelling, the toe may feel warm, or pus may start to build up and leak. These are signs that an ingrown toenail has developed an infection. 

How to prevent an ingrown toenail infection

Start treatment of your ingrown nail as soon as you notice symptoms. An infected nail will still respond well to treatment, but you’ll save yourself the distraction and pain. Treating a toenail early speeds your recovery. 

Follow these four steps at the first sign of a developing ingrown toenail:

1. Soak your feet

Use warm, not hot, water to soak your feet several times a day in 15-minute sessions. This helps minimize swelling and controls discomfort. Dry your feet thoroughly after each soak. 

2. Raise the nail edge

To encourage the toenail to grow over the skin, tuck tufts of cotton under the part of the toenail that’s growing into the skin. Waxed dental floss is also acceptable and may be more easily movable for placement. 

3. Antibiotic cream or ointment

Place a small dab of antibiotic cream on the tender spot and cover it with a bandage to hold it in place. This helps to prevent an infection from taking hold or getting worse if it’s already started. 

4. Choose the right footwear

Avoid shoes that crowd the ingrown nail area, since it can make the problem worse. Open-toed shoes are a good choice unless there’s a chance of injuring or stubbing the toe. Avoid going barefoot until your toe heals. 

If necessary, use over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort or pain. As you follow this treatment guide, you should notice noticeable improvement. 

If symptoms persist or get worse, contact Hudson Valley Foot Associates by phone or online to schedule professional care at our nearest location.