Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?At-Home Treatment OptionsMedical TreatmentsParonychia and FelonsCausesPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
At-Home Treatment Options
Medical Treatments
Paronychia and Felons
Causes
Prevention
An ingrown nail develops when one or both sides of your nail grow into the skin. Over time, this can cause pain, swelling, and even infection.
This article discusses what ingrown nails are, why they happen, how to treat an ingrown nail, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Suriyawut Suriya / Getty Images
What Is an Ingrown Fingernail?
Although ingrown nails are more common intoenails, ingrown fingernails also occur, making everyday activities like typing on a keyboard or holding a pen painful.
Under normal circumstances, healthy nails grow straight. However, when the nail plate begins to curve downward and grows into the skin, you may end up with an ingrown fingernail. Over time, it can become swollen, painful, and even infected.
Home remedies are often enough to treat an ingrown fingernail, but if you begin to experience severe pain or notice signs of infection, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoMuhammad Gunawansyah / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Muhammad Gunawansyah / Getty Images
What Are At-Home Ingrown Fingernail Treatment Options?
If you are experiencing discomfort and notice your nail is growing into the skin, you may have an ingrown nail. Unless you havediabetes, poor blood circulation in your hands, or an infection, you can treat your ingrown nail at home. You may also take Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) to relieve pain.
People with diabetes or other conditions that restrict blood flow are at a greater risk for complications related to ingrown nails. They should be extra cautious with nail care and seek medical attention right away if they notice an ingrown fingernail.
Treatments
To treat an ingrown fingernail at home:
Should you dig out an ingrown fingernail?No. Cutting or digging out the ingrown part of a fingernail can make the condition worse.Instead, soak the ingrown fingernail in warm water, apply antibiotic ointment, and keep the area dry.
Should you dig out an ingrown fingernail?
No. Cutting or digging out the ingrown part of a fingernail can make the condition worse.Instead, soak the ingrown fingernail in warm water, apply antibiotic ointment, and keep the area dry.
Medical Ingrown Fingernail Treatments
If you don’t see improvements using home remedies to treat your ingrown nail, your healthcare provider may recommend medical treatment. Although it is more common to have surgery for ingrown toenails than for ingrown fingernails, fingernail treatments may include removing the affected area of the nail or medication.
Chemical Matricectomy
Partial nail avulsion, which removes the portion of the nail that has grown into the skin, combined with chemicalmatricectomy, is considered the most successful treatment option for ingrown nails.
The process involves numbing the infected area with local anesthesia and removing the ingrown portion. Next, a chemical agent such as phenol or sodium hydroxide is rubbed into the nail bed. Antibiotic ointment is then applied, and gauze is wrapped around the nail.
Prescription Antibiotics
When infection is present, you may need prescription antibiotics. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe antibiotics after a surgical procedure.
Can an ingrown fingernail heal itself?Yes. Ingrown fingernails usually heal on their own. Soaking your finger in warm water, using antibiotic ointment, and keeping it dry can help it heal faster.
Can an ingrown fingernail heal itself?
Yes. Ingrown fingernails usually heal on their own. Soaking your finger in warm water, using antibiotic ointment, and keeping it dry can help it heal faster.
Without proper treatment, it can spread to other nail folds, leading to chronic infection and long-term nail damage.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023
Causes of Ingrown Fingernails
Ingrown fingernails can happen for no apparent reason. However, they often result from cutting the nail too short or not cutting it straight across, causing the nail to grow directly into the skin instead of out.
Other factors contributing to ingrown fingernails include:
Beau’s Lines and Their Causes
How to Prevent Ingrown Fingernails
Taking preventive measures is key to avoiding painful ingrown fingernails. Keeping your nails trimmed and regularly soaking your nails are all ways to prevent ingrown fingernails.
How to Trim Nails
When trimming your nails, it’s important to:
You can also soak your nails in tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antifungal and antiseptic properties that may help combat nail fungus.
Summary
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kottadiyil, Divya V.A relative study of finger nail plate shape among Indian population.Int. J. of Multidisciplinary and Current research.
American Family Physician.Ingrown toenails.
MedlinePlus.Ingrown toenail.
Terzi E, Guvenc U, Türsen B, Kaya Tİ, Erdem T, Türsen Ü.The effectiveness of matrix cauterization with trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of ingrown toenails.Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 2015;6(1):4. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.148912
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Paronychia nail infection.
Harvard Health Publishing.Felon.
Chapter 107.Paronychia or Eponychia Incision and Drainage. In: Reichman EF. eds.Emergency Medicine Procedures, 2e. McGraw Hill.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to trim your nails.
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