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Medical Author:

Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD

Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD

Dr. Alai is an actively practicing medical and surgical dermatologist in south Orange County, California. She has been a professor of dermatology and family medicine at the University of California, Irvine since 2000. She is U.S. board-certified in dermatology, a 10-year-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Fellow of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What are ingrown toenails? What are the symptoms?
• What causes ingrown toenails?
• Are some people more prone to ingrown toenails?
• Which nails are most commonly affected?
• What causes infections in ingrown toenails?
• What are possible complications of ingrown toenails?
• How do I treat an ingrown toenail at home?
• When should I see a physician?
• What kind of doctor treats ingrown toenails?
• How are ingrown toenails treated?
• What types of nail surgery are used for ingrown toenails?
• How can I prevent ingrown toenails from recurring?
• Ingrown Toenail Do's
• Ingrown Toenail Don'ts
• Ingrown Toenail At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Ingrown Toenail - Treatments
• Find a local Podiatrist in your town
• Ingrown Toenail Index

The great toes are the most commonly affected sites. Other toenails may less commonly become ingrown. Fingernails may rarely become affected.

Bacteria and fungi can easily infect the skin of the feet and nails. The foot's warm and moist environment is a great breeding ground for many kinds of infections including Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Candida, and Trichophyton. It is important to treat any secondary infections resulting from or following ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails may cause deeper bacterial tissue infection (cellulitis), localized infection of the nail fold (paronychia), and scarring of the nail fold and skin.

Helpful soaks options include:


1. dilute white vinegar (roughly 1 part household vinegar to 4 parts water)

2. Epsom salts

3. very dilute Clorox bleach footbath (approximately 1/3 teaspoon Clorox in one medium bucket of water or one capful of Clorox in one bathtub full of water)