As with adults, if a baby’s nails are trimmed too short or left to grow too long, or if their shoes or socks are too tight, they can develop an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail is a nail that presses or grows into the skin on the corner or side of the toenail. While this can happen on any toe, it is most common on the big toe. An ingrown toenail can be red, swollen, and painful. If not promptly treated, an infection can result. It may help to soak the child’s foot in warm, soapy water a few times a day and have them wear looser-fitting shoes outdoors or go barefoot indoors. However, it is suggested that if you notice signs of an ingrown toenail in your child, you should not try to pry their nail away from the skin, but see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Yeon A. Shim of Roselle Podiatry Group. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Roselle, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.