When the edge of your big toenail turns red and swollen and even a shoe hurts, the nail may be growing into the skin. The NHS says an ingrown toenail is a common problem that usually affects the big toe, and for home care suggests soaking your foot in warm, salty water, keeping it dry, and wearing wide, comfortable shoes, with paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. But don’t cut the ingrown nail — leave it to grow out. To prevent it, don’t cut toenails too short, and cut straight across, not the edges. This sets out the NHS page “Ingrown toenail”.
1. Soak in warm, salty water, then keep the foot dry for the day. Wide, comfortable shoes or sandals.
2. Don’t cut it, don’t pick it, avoid tight pointy shoes.
3. Pus, fever or diabetes: see a GP. That can lead to antibiotics or a referral to a podiatrist (foot specialist).
What it looks like — NHS
The NHS describes an ingrown toenail as a nail that grows into the skin around it; it is common, usually affects the big toe, and can be painful. The toe may be red, painful and swollen, and the edge of the nail may curve into the skin. If it becomes infected, pus may come out of it, or you may feel hot or shivery.
Home do’s and don’ts — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Soak your foot in warm, salty water — to soften the skin around the toe and reduce the chance of infection | No soaking time or salt amount given |
| Do | Keep your foot dry for the rest of the day | — |
| Do | Wear wide, comfortable shoes or sandals | So nothing presses on the toe |
| Do | Paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain | — |
| Don’t | Cut the toenail — leave it to grow out | Read as: don’t dig out the ingrown part |
| Don’t | Pick at your toe or toenail | — |
| Don’t | Wear tight, pointy shoes | — |
“Don’t cut” applies while the nail is ingrown; how to trim normally is under prevention below (our reading). Another shoe-related foot problem is covered in should you pop a blister.
Prevention — how to trim
For prevention the NHS says don’t cut your toenails too short and cut straight across the nail, not the edges. It also lists wearing properly fitting shoes and keeping your feet clean and dry. We read this as advice not to round off the corners or cut deep into them (our reading).
Starting to walk more? Begin with your shoes — see brisk walking and daily step count.
When to see a GP, and what happens there
The NHS gives four reasons to see a GP: home treatment isn’t helping; your toe is painful and swollen with pus coming out of it; you have a very high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery; or you have diabetes and an ingrown toenail, since foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes.
| Where | What | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| GP | Confirms it is an ingrown toenail · antibiotics if infected · may refer you to a podiatrist (foot specialist) | — |
| Podiatrist | Cutting away part of the nail or removing the whole nail — usually with a local anaesthetic injection to numb the toe | Recovery time isn’t on this page |
The NHS notes that waits after referral can be long, private treatment is an option, and in some areas you can refer yourself. That describes the UK system; we haven’t checked which specialty to visit in Korea. Choosing between A&E and a clinic is covered in ER vs local clinic.
Checklist
- ☐ Soak in warm, salty water, then dry the foot
- ☐ Wide shoes or sandals; rest the tight pointy ones
- ☐ Don’t cut or pick the ingrown nail
- ☐ Normally: not too short, straight across
- ☐ Pus, fever or diabetes: see a GP
Questions that remain
How long should I soak it?
The NHS page we read gives no time or amount of salt, so we haven’t added numbers.
If the nail is removed, does it grow back?
The NHS page only mentions partial or whole removal; it doesn’t cover stopping regrowth or recovery time. Ask the clinician treating you.
Itchy white patches between the toes may be athlete’s foot — the NHS says not to wear the same shoes more than 2 to 3 days in a row (athlete’s foot).
Sources
- NHS — Ingrown toenail — source (page shows: reviewed 30 June 2025, next review 30 June 2028; checked 12 October 2026). Big toe, symptoms and infection signs, 4 dos and 3 don’ts, how to trim, 4 GP reasons, antibiotics and podiatrist, partial or whole removal under local anaesthetic, waits and self-referral.
- Not read. Korean agency guidance on ingrown toenails; recovery after the procedure.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column, and separating “don’t cut” from normal trimming.
Where else to check
- A pharmacist — painkillers.
Written on 12 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.