What happens if you leave an ingrown toenail alone?

What happens if you leave an ingrown toenail alone?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can cause an infection in the bone in your toe. A toenail infection can also lead to foot ulcers, or open sores, and a loss of blood flow to the infected area. A foot infection can be more serious if you have diabetes.

Should I leave my ingrown toenail alone?

If the infected ingrown nail is left untreated the infection can spread to the bone beneath the nail or, in extreme cases, enter the blood stream and cause sepsis, gangrene or a flesh eating disorder. For those with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, an ingrown toenail should never be left untreated.

What is the best thing to do for a ingrown toenail?

Wedge a small piece of wet cotton, such as part of a cotton ball, under the corner of your ingrown nail. This will help lift the nail off of the skin. Soak your toe and change the piece of cotton each day until the nail grows out and can be trimmed.

How long does ingrown toenail last?

In some cases, you may need antibiotics along with warm soaks. If after 2 to 3 days of antibiotics the toenail doesn't get better or gets worse, part of the nail may need to be removed to drain the infection. With treatment, it can take 1 to 2 weeks to clear up completely.

What does a ingrown toenail look like?

What Does an Ingrown Toenail Look Like? Ingrown toenails cause redness and swelling around the affected toe area. The site may be painful to the touch. An infection may develop if the condition progresses, and the area may ooze pus.

How do you get a ingrown toenail out?

Occasionally, stubbing or jamming your toe, dropping something on your toe or participating in activities that put repeated pressure on your toes (like running, soccer or ballet) can cause ingrown toenails to develop. Improper trimming. One of the most common causes of ingrown toenails is cutting them too short.

How do I get rid of a deep ingrown toenail?

Use a pair of tweezers to gently push a tiny piece of cotton or gauze into the corner of your toenail where it's ingrown. This helps to make a space between the nail and the skin. Cut the visible nail corner or the ingrown spur away to help relieve the pressure and pain.

How can I permanently fix an ingrown toenail?

You can sometimes take care of an ingrown toenail yourself. However, if you have a chronic condition or an infection, treating it yourself may make it worse. An infection from an ingrown nail can spread to your foot, leg, or body.

When should you go to the doctor for an ingrown toenail?

Call your doctor if your toe is red, warm, swollen, or drains pus, or if there are red streaks leading from your toe. Your doctor might give you antibiotics. If your toenail is very ingrown, your doctor might suggest minor surgery to remove all or part of the ingrown nail.

Can a pedicure get rid of ingrown toenail?

Will a pedicure help an ingrown toenail? You can still get a pedicure with an ingrown toenail. But just be aware that your nail technician can't make the ingrown go away. If you have a large ingrown then we may refer you to your doctor.