How to Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail

Co-authored by Mark Co, DPM and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 Fact Checked

Ingrown toenails can be painful and inconvenient, and worst of all, they can get infected easily. If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail that has become infected, you'll need to treat the infection to prevent the condition from worsening.^{[1]
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Research source} To remove infection from an ingrown toenail, soften the nail in warm water before carefully propping up the edge and applying antibacterial ointment directly to the infection beneath the nail. While this is a decent start, it is strongly advised to visit a podiatrist for proper treatment instead of relying on home treatment for the infection.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Treating the Nail

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1
Soak your toe. In order to reduce the pain and swelling involved with an ingrown toenail, soak the foot with the ingrown toenail for 10-20 minutes in warm, soapy water, three times a day for one to two weeks. Epsom salt can also help with pain and inflammation.^{[2]
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- Fill a tub with about 0.5 US gal (1.9 L) of warm water and add 3 tbsp (75 g) of Epsom salt. Place your foot into the water, and relax for about 15 minutes while it soaks.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mark Co, DPM
  Podiatrist
  
  Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.} When finished soaking, dry your toe completely.
- You can do this multiple times a day, or as needed while your toenail is growing out.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mark Co, DPM
  Podiatrist
  
  Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.}
- Never soak your foot in hot water. It should always be soaked in warm water.^{[5]
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  Research source}
2
Prop up the edge of the nail. To relieve the pressure under the ingrown edge of the toenail, doctors sometimes suggest propping the nail up slightly. This is done by sticking a small piece of cotton or thick floss under the edge of the nail. This technique helps pull the nail away from the skin, so it no longer digs into the skin.
- If you use cotton, you can dip it in antiseptic to help ease the pain and prevent infection under the nail.
- If the nail is infected, this may also help to soak up any moisture that is trapped under the nail.
- If you use thick floss, make sure that it is unflavored and unwaxed.
- Do not insert a metal tool under the nail to try to insert cotton or floss. This could damage the toe further.^{[6]
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  Research source}
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3
Apply antibacterial ointment. Before you apply the ointment, dry your toe completely. Cover the infected area with an antibacterial cream, applying the ointments in a thick coat over the infected area of the toe. Then, wrap your toe with a bandage such as a large band-aid—this prevents debris from entering the wound and helps keep the ointment in place.
- Use antibacterial ointments such as Neosporin.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source} They’re helpful when dealing with an infected ingrown toenail
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Visit a foot doctor (podiatrist). Infected ingrown toenails should not be treated at home, which is true for most infected wounds. Visit a podiatrist (more commonly known as a foot doctor) to get treatment for your infection. If the infection and nail are bad enough, minor surgery may be required. For the most part, however, a simple surgical procedure involves numbing the nail bed and then your doctor removing part of the ingrown nail with clippers or scissors.
- You may be prescribed oral antibiotics, which are taken by mouth, to help fend off further infections.^{[8]
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  Research source} If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to complete the entire course and follow up with your doctor as needed.

Part 2

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Avoiding Common Misconceptions

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Do not cut the nail. A common misconception about having an infected ingrown toenail is that it needs to be cut—but contrary to popular belief, cutting the nail can make the infection worse. It can also cause more ingrown toenails in the future. Leave the nail uncut, and prop it up to relieve pressure.
- The toenail may need to be cut by a doctor, but never cut it on your own in a "bathroom surgery."^{[9]
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2
Do not dig under the nail. It may be tempting to try to relieve pressure or lift the nail from the skin by digging at the skin underneath. Do not do this, though, because it can intensify an infection and make the ingrown nail worse.
- Keep tweezers, orange sticks, clippers, files, or any other metal tools away from your ingrown toenail.^{[10]
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Do not attempt to drain an infection. There is a popular conception that you should use a needle to puncture a blister or a pustule caused by an infection. You should not do this because it will just make it worse. Even if you use clean tools and a sanitized needle, you can cause some serious damage by poking and prodding at a blister or an infected wound.
- Avoid touching it with anything other than a cotton swab or bandaging materials.^{[11]
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  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}
According to some old folk healing methods, cutting a ‘V’ shape in the top of the infected toenail can help relieve the pressure, which in turn will heal the nail. However, this does absolutely nothing except create a jagged edge on your nail.
Do not believe urban health myths such as the idea that rubbing coal on your toe can make an infection go away. Although some people swear by this method, the coal won’t benefit the infection or the ingrown nail at all. In fact, this method may make it worse. In general, avoid putting anything on your toe or the infected area besides antibiotic cream or bandages.

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I have two infections on either side of my right toe and it's gotten so bad there is two lumps of skin or infection completely covering the corners of either side of my toe. What should I do? Do I need surgery?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

I recommend that you see a podiatrist. They can do an in-office surgical procedure.

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Question

Should you use peroxide on the toe?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Hydrogen peroxide is a good agent to control infection and help relieve some of the pus and pain involved with an ingrown toenail. I would put a band aid over the nail after I cleaned it out with peroxide.

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Question

How can I treat an ingrown toenail that's causing an infection?

Mark Co, DPM
Podiatrist
Dr. Mark Co is a Podiatrist who runs his own private practice in San Francisco, California. Dr. Co specializes in treatments for bunions, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also offers custom orthotics for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle issues. Dr. Co completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at New York University and an MA in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Co also completed his DPM at the California School of Podiatric Medicine and a residency and internship at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Dr. Co was awarded San Francisco's "Top 3 Podiatrists" in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Dr. Co is also a member of the CPMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).

Mark Co, DPM

Podiatrist

Expert Answer

Soak your toenail in 2 quarts of warm water mixed with 3 tbsp Epsom salt. Do this for about 15 minutes any time your toe is hurting while the nail grows out.

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Tips

To prevent ingrown toenails, always cut your toenails straight across.^{[12]
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Mark Co, DPM
Podiatrist

Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.}

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Do not keep pressing the pus out of the ingrown toenail area, as this could infect it more.

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Don't bite the nail with your teeth. This is unsanitary and simply damages your teeth and the nail.

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Warnings

If you have an ingrown toenail and are diabetic, see a foot doctor as soon as possible.

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Infections may become life-threatening if they manifest with sepsis or cause blood poisoning. You can also develop gangrenous infections, which create dead, decaying tissues. These things may require hospitalization, surgeries, and even amputations to stop spreading or dying tissues.

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Individuals with immune problems should see a doctor for any lingering infections.

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Problems with the healing of ulcers or numbness and tingling in the feet can indicate diabetes.

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