What is an ingrown toenail?
If your child has tenderness, redness, and swelling of skin
around the corner of the toenail on one of the big toes, your child has an
ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails are usually caused by tight shoes (for
example, cowboy boots) or improper cutting of the toenails. They take several
weeks to heal.
How can I take care of my
child?
- Soaking
Soak the foot twice a day in warm water and antibacterial
soap for 20 minutes. While the foot is soaking, massage outward the swollen
part of the cuticle.
- Antibiotic ointment
If your child's cuticle is just red and irritated, an
antibiotic ointment is probably not needed. But if the cuticle becomes
swollen or oozes secretions, apply Neosporin ointment (no prescription
needed) 5 or 6 times a day.
- Cutting off the corner of the
toenail
The pain is caused by the corner of the toenail rubbing
against the raw cuticle. Therefore, your health care provider will cut this
corner off so that the irritated tissue can heal more easily. Your health
care provider needs to do this only once. The main purpose of treatment is
to help the nail grow over the nail cuticle rather than get stuck in it.
Therefore, during soaks try to bend the corners of the nail upward.
- Shoes
Have your child wear sandals or go barefoot as much as
possible to prevent pressure on the toenail. When your child must wear
closed shoes, protect the ingrown toenail as follows: If the inner edge is
involved, tape a foam pad between the first and second toes to keep them
from touching. If the outer edge is involved, tape a foam pad to the outside
of the ball of the toe to keep the toenail from touching the side of the
shoe.
How can I help prevent ingrown
toenails?
Make sure that your child's shoes are not too narrow. Get rid
of any pointed or tight shoes. After the cuticle is healed, cut the toenails
straight across, leaving the corners. Don't cut the nails too short. Cut the
nail weekly to prevent pressure on the end of the nail, which can push the
corners into the skin. Also, after every shower or bath, lift up the corners
of the nail.
When should I call my child's
health care provider?
Call IMMEDIATELY if:
- Your child develops a fever.
- A red streak spreads beyond the toe.
Call during office hours if:
- Any pus or yellow drainage is not cleared up after 48
hours of treatment.
- The cuticle has not totally healed in 2 weeks.
- You have other concerns or questions.
