How to Treat a Painful Ingrown Toenail After a Summer Pedicure

Summer pedicures are supposed to be relaxing, but aggressive trimming by a nail tech can easily cause the edge of your nail to grow downward and pierce the skin. If you are dealing with a throbbing toe after that kind of experience, Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio can help. Keep reading for a quick guide to identifying red flags, avoiding mistakes, and preventing recurrence, too. 

🔍 What to Look For (Signs of an Ingrown Nail)

• Tenderness: A hard, swollen, and tender area next to the nail border.
• Redness & Heat: Discoloration and warmth radiating from the side of the toe.
• Shoe Pain: Sharp discomfort when wearing closed-toe shoes or putting weight on the foot.
• Infection Signs: Pus, fluid, or bleeding draining from the nail fold (this requires immediate professional care).

✅ What to DO (Safe At-Home Care)

• Soak Your Foot: Soak the affected foot in warm, soapy water for 15-20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day to reduce swelling.
• Switch Your Shoes: Like so many of life’s challenges, this problem is made worse when you wear the wrong shoes. Wear open-toed sandals or shoes with a very wide, roomy toe box to eliminate pressure.
• Keep it Clean and Dry: After soaking, thoroughly dry the foot and keep it clean. This will prevent bacteria from entering the irritated skin, which can be dangerous for those managing diabetes.
• If It Doesn’t Improve, Call a Professional: If the pain does not improve after a few days of soaking, call (330) 345-5500 or reach out to the Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio online to schedule an evaluation.

❌ What NOT to Do (Common Misconceptions)

• Don’t Attempt “Bathroom Surgery”: Never try to dig the nail out yourself with clippers or tweezers. You will likely leave a microscopic, jagged spike of nail behind that will grow deeper into the tissue.
• Don’t Go Back to the Salon: Cosmetologists are not medical professionals. Asking a nail tech to “cut out” an ingrown nail can introduce dangerous bacteria and lead to a severe infection.
• Don’t Use Unsterilized Tools: Using standard bathroom nail clippers on an open, irritated wound is a guaranteed way to introduce infection.
• Don’t Rely on “Wedge” Hacks: Shoving cotton or dental floss under the nail at home is painful and often traps moisture and bacteria, worsening the problem.

The 15-Minute Permanent Fix

You don’t have to suffer through the rest of the summer or rely on painful at-home hacks. At our clinic, fixing an ingrown toenail is a fast, gently numbed, in-office procedure.

 We remove only the offending sliver of the nail, and if you get them frequently, we can treat the nail root so that specific corner never grows back.

If you’re stressed out, let us help! Treatment is fast, and the results last. 

For trusted podiatric experts, choose Foot & Ankle Center of Ohio! With advanced techniques, proven skills, and a stress-free environment, our team can resolve your foot and ankle problems and help you return to living your best life. Step past pain and schedule your appointment today.