Having an ingrown nail can be a really unpleasant experience. First some things you should know:
The main causes usually come from poor nail cutting which leaves a bit of nail sticking out. Also a trauma to the toe such as accidentally stubbing it against furniture or a step damages the nail, or sometimes shoes which are too constrictive in the toe box pushing the skin onto the free edge of the nail.
Eventually the nail penetrates into the skin, which provides a portal for bacteria leading to an infection, and it is usually this that causes the most pain as fluid builds up, the skin swells like a balloon and pressure makes it very uncomfortable.
It is important to know that ignoring it won’t make it go away, in fact the opposite is true. Also, cutting a V into the middle of the nail won’t do anything either.
Giving the foot a salt bath can help to tackle the infection, although again, it won’t help relieve the ingrowing nail problem.
You need to see a podiatrist. Expensive surgery to remove some or all of the nail is usually unnecessary and once the problem is fixed it probably won’t happen again. If necessary I can issue antibiotics for the infection.
If you think you have a problem with an ingrowing nail, call me on 07510 313801 and make an appointment and get it sorted before it becomes a real problem.