Can an Ingrown Toenail Heal on Its Own?

An ingrown toenail can turn something as simple as walking into a painful experience. If you’ve ever dealt with one, you know how uncomfortable it can be, and you’re far from alone. Around 20% of people seeking medical help for foot problems have ingrown toenails.

At Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, many of our patients need help with ingrown toenails. The big question is: Can an ingrown toenail ever heal on its own? The answer depends on how severe it is and how you care for it. 

Identifying an ingrown toenail

When the edge of your toenail grows into the skin instead of over it, you have an ingrown toenail. This usually occurs on the big toe and can cause redness, swelling, and pain. If bacteria enter the area, you could end up with an infection. 

Your body has an incredible ability to heal itself, but an ingrown toenail might not always resolve on its own. If caught early, mild cases can improve with simple at-home care. But if a nail continues to grow into the surrounding skin, it will eventually require medical treatment. 

Factors that influence ingrown toenail healing

The following factors affect how likely it is that an ingrown toenail will heal:

Ingrown toenail severity 

If the nail is only slightly pushing into the skin, it may heal with proper care. But if it’s deeply embedded, it likely won’t go away without intervention.

Personal hygiene

Keeping the affected foot clean and dry helps prevent infection and encourage healing.

Footwear choices

Tight or pointed shoes can worsen the problem by pressing on the toenail.

Underlying health conditions

Conditions like diabetes or poor circulation make healing more problematic and increase the risk of complications.

At-home care for a mild ingrown toenail

If your ingrown toenail is in the early stages and not infected, try these remedies to encourage healing:

Soak your foot in warm water

Soaking the affected foot for 15-20 minutes in warm water two to three times a day can soften the skin and reduce swelling. Some people add Epsom salts to the water for extra relief.

Gently lift the nail

After soaking, gently lift the nail’s edge and place a small length of cotton or dental floss under it. This helps guide the nail to grow in the right direction. Be gentle, though — forcing it can cause more pain and damage.

Apply antibiotic ointment

An over-the-counter ointment helps prevent infection and keep the area free of bacteria.

Wear comfortable shoes

Avoid tight shoes and opt for sandals or roomy footwear to decrease pressure on the toe.

Trim your toenails correctly

To stop the nail from growing into the skin, always cut your toenails straight across rather than rounding the edges.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, an ingrown toenail won’t improve on its own. Here are signs that you should see our podiatry team:

• Severe pain  
• Worsening redness and swelling
• Pus or signs of infection
• No improvement after a few days of home treatment
• Recurring ingrown toenails

You should also visit us if you have diabetes or poor circulation (even if your ingrown toenail is mild) because of the increased risk of infection. Ingrown toenails are a common problem for people with diabetes, affecting around 17% of them. 

We treat ingrown toenails by trimming the nail and prescribing antibiotics if there’s an infection. In severe cases, our podiatrist and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Joseph Hall, DPM, FACFAS, might remove part or all of the nail.

How to prevent ingrown toenails

Preventing ingrown toenails is significantly easier than dealing with them. Here are some tips to keep your feet healthy:

• Cut your toenails straight across and not too short
• Avoid shoes that squeeze your toes
• Use protective footwear if you play sports or do activities that stress your feet

If you’re prone to ingrown toenails, keep an eye on your nails to catch the problem early.

The bottom line

A mild ingrown toenail might heal if you take proper care of it, but medical treatment may be necessary if the condition worsens or the nail becomes infected. Taking care of your feet and practicing good nail hygiene can help you avoid the discomfort of an ingrown toenail in the future.

Your feet support you every day, so take care of them. And if you’re concerned about an ingrown toenail, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic in Mill Creek, Washington. Call or use our online system to request an appointment.