Conditions
Ingrown toenail: home care and when it needs removing
An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of a toenail grows into the skin, making it red, swollen and sore. By video the doctor tells you how to care for it at home, treats pain and infection if appropriate, and tells you where to go. Removing the nail or part of it is an in-person procedure.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Redness and swelling moving up the foot, or red streaks
- Fever or chills
- Dark skin, a bad smell or a wound on the foot if you have diabetes
Help lines
At a glance
Ingrown toenail
Common symptoms
- Pain along the edge of the toenail
- Redness around the nail
- Swelling of the skin beside the nail
- Pus or drainage if it is infected
- Other names
- Ingrown nail · Onychocryptosis
- Treatment
- Home care; partial nail removal in person when needed; antibiotic only when the medical evaluation calls for it
- Possible complication
- Skin infection of the toe
On this page(9)
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail is when the edge of the nail grows into the skin of the toe. The most common causes are tight shoes and nails trimmed too short or rounded at the corners, which makes the nail curl into the skin.
It can start with pain and redness along the edge of the nail and, if it gets infected, swell and drain pus.
How we help with an ingrown toenail by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. Show the toe on camera in good light, or send photos through the secure link we send you.
The doctor checks whether the nail is infected, explains how to care for it at home and, if appropriate, prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. What is done in person: removing the nail or the ingrown edge is a procedure under local anesthesia done by a podiatrist or a doctor in their office. If you need it, the doctor tells you and points you to where to go.
If you have diabetes, nerve damage or poor circulation, don’t treat an ingrown toenail yourself: you need to be seen in person soon. See type 2 diabetes. You need to be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit. Ingrown toenails are part of our online skin care.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
Get your plan.
Home care and, if appropriate, a prescription sent to your pharmacy. If you need a procedure, we tell you where to go.
What the visit costs
A visit for an ingrown toenail is a US$79 doctor visit, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. Any in-person procedure is paid separately where you get it. See all prices.
Ingrown toenail symptoms
The most common signs are:
- Pain along the edge of the toenail
- Redness around the nail
- Swelling of the skin beside the nail
- Pus or drainage if it is infected
What to do at home for an ingrown toenail
If you don’t have diabetes or circulation problems, this helps:
- Soak your foot in warm water several times a day.
- Gently place a small piece of cotton or dental floss under the edge of the nail, moistened with water or antiseptic, so it grows above the skin.
- Wear comfortable shoes with room for your toes, or sandals, while it heals.
- Don’t cut or dig at the edge of the nail.
How to keep it from coming back
Trim your toenails straight across, without rounding the corners or cutting them too short. Wear shoes that fit, with room for your toes. If you have diabetes, check your feet every day and have them checked at every medical visit.
When to get in-person care or go to the ER
Get seen in person soon if you have diabetes, nerve damage or poor circulation, or if the nail is infected and not improving. For your safety, go to the emergency room or call 911 if you notice any of these signs; see also cellulitis:
- Redness and swelling moving up the foot, or red streaks
- Fever or chills
- Dark skin, a bad smell or a wound on the foot if you have diabetes
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Can an ingrown toenail be removed through a video visit?
What can I do for an ingrown toenail at home?
How do I know if my ingrown toenail is infected?
I have diabetes and an ingrown toenail. What should I do?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (2)
- Ingrown toenail (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Diabetes and Your Feet (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)