Edges of nail get embed within the skin and causes pain. It happens commonly in great toe.

It can happen both in men and women. More common in sweaty feet specially teenager. Older people also get it because of thickened nail. Following are few common cause of developing ingrown toenail.

• Tight shoe cause crowding of toenail
• Cutting toenail too short or not straight across
• Injury of toenail
• Unusually curved toenail

Causes painful toe tip. Depending on severity of condition symptom varies. In non-infected cases skin next to the nail becomes swollen, tender and hard. Infected case it become extremely painful. Local skin become red, swollen and there will be pus discharge.

It can be managed at home by yourself but if becomes too much painful or get infected you should visit your doctor.

He will examine to asses if it is infected or not. He might get an x-ray done to assess how deep the nail has embed.

Non complicated toe nail can be treated home by selfcare.

• Soak your feet in warm water 2-3 times every day for 10-15 m
• Keep the skin at the edge of nail soft with olive oil or good moisturizer and push the skin away from nail with cotton bud
• Apply over the counter topical antibiotic; Neosporin to prevent infection

If home treatment does help or it become infected then you will need oral antibiotic and
surgical treatment; partial excision of nail (edge) along with removal of corresponding germinal layer of nail bed.