An ingrown toenail grows into the skin along the edge of the nail. This can cause redness, swelling, drainage, or infection. Some cases improve with home care, but complications may need professional treatment. When symptoms persist or worsen, a podiatrist can evaluate the toe.
Examine, Diagnose, and Image
Diagnosis begins with a discussion of your symptoms. Your podiatrist asks about pain, drainage, and how long the issue has persisted, and they review your medical history. Conditions such as diabetes or poor circulation affect healing, so your podiatrist needs this information. Tell your podiatrist about any home ingrown toenail treatments you tried, including soaking your nail in warm water. Next, your podiatrist examines the affected toe. Your podiatrist may gently press along the nail border to find the most affected area. This step helps them decide if conservative care is appropriate or if a more involved procedure is necessary. A thorough exam gives your podiatrist the information needed to recommend the right next steps.
Treat With Medications and Splinting
Common medication options include:
- Topical antibiotics: Applied directly to the skin to treat surface-level infections
- Oral antibiotics: Prescribed when infection has spread deeper into the tissue
- Oral pain relievers: Used to manage discomfort and reduce swelling around the nail
- Anti-inflammatory medication: Recommended when inflammation is significant
Take each medication as directed, and finish the full course of antibiotics even if the toe looks better sooner. If redness spreads beyond the toe or a fever develops, contact your podiatrist right away. Splinting lifts the nail edge away from the skin. Your podiatrist places a small splint or cotton wedge under the nail edge, and this creates space between the nail and the surrounding tissue.
Remove the Affected Nail
Severe or recurring cases may require nail removal. Your podiatrist may remove part of the nail or the entire nail, depending on how much is affected. Partial removal takes out only the ingrown edge, leaving the rest of the nail intact. Full removal applies when the whole nail is damaged, deeply infected, or has caused repeated problems that conservative treatments have not resolved. Before the procedure, your podiatrist numbs the toe with a local anesthetic, and you remain awake throughout. Your injection may cause brief discomfort, but the procedure itself should not be painful.
The area will be numb, so your podiatrist carefully removes the affected part of the nail using specialized tools. The procedure takes place in the office. Your podiatrist covers the toe with a sterile bandage afterward to protect the area and reduce the risk of infection. Some tenderness is normal in the following days, and your podiatrist may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to manage it. Your podiatrist gives you aftercare instructions before you leave, and following them closely supports proper healing.
Treat Your Ingrown Toenail Today
Untreated ingrown toenails can lead to deeper infection. A podiatrist can diagnose the problem, and they will recommend treatment based on your condition. Treatment may include medications, splinting, or nail removal. If your toe shows redness, swelling, or drainage, schedule a visit. People with diabetes face higher risks, so they should seek care early. Contact a podiatrist to discuss your symptoms and next steps.