An ingrown toenail is a nail that grows into the surrounding tissue. Ingrown toenails can occur at any age, but are most common in young boys/men.

Treatment

In most cases, you can treat an ingrown toenail yourself. In the acute phase, warm foot baths without soap are recommended for 5-10 minutes 3 times a day for up to 2 weeks. In addition, the wound should be kept dry, so feel free to use a bandage that can absorb fluid.

You can also try to lift the nail by placing a small piece of cotton or a plaster under the edge of the nail.

When cutting the nail, it may be a good idea to seek help from a podiatrist. Using a file, you can carefully try to remove a small part of the nail in the ingrown area. This will make the nail less sharp and reduce the risk of it digging further into the skin. First soften the nail in warm water.

If there are signs of infection or inflammation, or if there is a risk that this may develop, the doctor may prescribe a cortisone ointment or antibiotics in tablet form.

If you have recurring ingrown nails, or if these measures do not improve the condition, it may be necessary to perform a minor surgical procedure to remove a small part of the nail.

Kalbakkenklinikken has short waiting times for treatment – you do not need a referral.