Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version
Ingrown Toenail
DESCRIPTION
If your child has tenderness, redness, and swelling of skin
around the corner of the toenail on one of the big toes,
your child has an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails are
usually caused by tight shoes (for example, cowboy boots) or
improper cutting of the toenails. They take several weeks
to heal.
HOME CARE
- Soaking
Soak the foot twice a day in warm water and
antibacterial soap for 20 minutes. While the foot is
soaking, massage outward the swollen part of the
cuticle.
- Antibiotic ointment
If your child's cuticle is just red and irritated, an
antibiotic ointment is probably not needed. But if the
cuticle becomes swollen or oozes secretions, apply
Neosporin ointment (no prescription needed) five or six
times a day.
- Cutting off the corner of the toenail
The pain is caused by the corner of the toenail rubbing
against the raw cuticle. Therefore, your physician will
cut this corner off so that the irritated tissue can
heal more easily. Your physician needs to do this only
once. The main purpose of treatment is to help the nail
grow over the nail cuticle rather than get stuck in it.
Therefore, during soaks try to bend the corners of the
nail upward.
- Shoes
Have your child wear sandals or go barefoot as much as
possible to prevent pressure on the toenail. When your
child must wear closed shoes, protect the ingrown
toenail as follows: If the inner edge is involved, tape
a foam pad between the first and second toes to keep
them from touching. If the outer edge is involved, tape
a foam pad to the outside of the ball of the toe to keep
the toenail from touching the side of the shoe.
- Prevention
Prevent recurrences of the ingrown toenail by making
sure that your child's shoes are not too narrow. Get
rid of any pointed or tight shoes. After the cuticle is
healed, cut the toenails straight across, leaving the
corners. Don't cut the nails too short. Cut the nail
weekly to prevent pressure on the end of the nail, which
can push the corners into the skin. Also, after every
shower or bath, lift up the corners of the nail.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:
- Your child develops a fever.
- A red streak spreads beyond the toe.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:
- Any pus or yellow drainage is not cleared up after 48
hours of treatment.
- The cuticle has not totally healed in 2 weeks.
- You have other concerns or questions.
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