Ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail edge presses or grows into the skin beside the nail. It causes tenderness, redness and sometimes infection. Mild cases can often be managed with offloading and correct nail cutting.
Written by Bahir Hadi, specialist in surgery, PhD
Awaiting medical review.
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail develops when the edge of the nail cuts into the skin beside it. It mainly affects the big toe. The skin becomes tender and swollen, and a sore and infection can develop along the side of the nail. Some people have only mild symptoms, others struggle to wear shoes. 1
How it develops
- Starts with tenderness and redness along one nail edge.
- Then swelling and pressure against the skin, often painful in shoes.
- Later a sore, pus and extra flesh-coloured tissue at the edge.
Common causes are nails cut in a curve or too short at the sides, pressure from tight shoes, moist skin and injury to the foot. There is also an inherited tendency. 1
Examination
The doctor can usually make the diagnosis by looking at the toe. Imaging is not needed. If there are signs of infection, the need for treatment beyond pressure relief is assessed, and other nail or skin conditions are considered. 1
Treatment
Many people improve with the simple measures: roomy footwear, foot baths, good foot hygiene and cutting the nail straight across rather than in a curve. Any infection needs treating. With repeated episodes or persistent symptoms a procedure on the nail edge may be relevant, and the choice depends on how much nail is involved and how often it recurs. 1
A chiropodist can help with pressure relief and correct cutting. Contact the clinic to clarify whether your referral belongs here.
Extra caution
If you have diabetes, poor circulation in the legs or a weakened immune system, even small wounds on the feet must be taken seriously and assessed by a doctor or chiropodist. Do not wait for it to settle on its own.
When it needs to be fast
Seek assessment the same day with fever, redness spreading quickly up the toe or foot, severe pain or feeling generally unwell. Call 1813 in the Capital Region or the out-of-hours doctor, and call 112 if you are severely affected.
What you can do yourself
- Cut the nail straight across, not in a curve, and not too short at the sides.
- Wear shoes with room for the toes, and change socks daily.
- Wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day.
- Avoid cutting or picking at the inflamed edge.
Sources
Contact and appointments
Online booking is not available. Please call the clinic or ask your GP for a referral, so we can find the right appointment.
If you are in health insurance group 1 and have a valid referral from your GP, the examinations and treatments covered by the clinic's public health agreement are covered by the Danish public health insurance, so you pay nothing for them yourself. If you are in health insurance group 2, there is usually a small co-payment under the health insurance rules. If you are paying yourself, contact the clinic for a price.
Call the clinic
+45 39 64 01 25
Phone hours
Phone hours: Mon–Thu 09:00–12:00
Address
Hans Edvard Teglers Vej 9, 1st floor · 2920 Charlottenlund
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Contact information
- Hans Edvard Teglers Vej 9, 1st floor · 2920 Charlottenlund
- +45 39 64 01 25
- mail@kirurgen.dk
- Phone hours: Mon–Thu 09:00–12:00
For referring physicians
Provider number: 215430