How to fix those painful ingrown toenails at home, say top experts

Up to four million people in the UK suffer with ingrown toenails and an estimated 10,000 cases are diagnosed each year.

The condition is one where the nail grows sideways into the nail bed, causing pain and swelling. As tissue becomes inflamed, it increases the chances of bacteria causing an infection that needs antibiotic treatment. And while they may seem trivial, they can leave sufferers in agony.

NHS England figures show casualty departments dealt with 3,800 cases of ingrown toenails between November 2024 and March 2025.

Earlier this month, health officials accused patients with the foot problem of clogging up busy A&Es, and instead urged them to treat their toenails at home.

But how to do this? Here are the expert steps you can take at home to ease the suffering of ingrown toenails – and prevent the issue from occurring.

TRY DIY COTTON WOOL FIX

The pain and inflammation are caused by the nail digging deep into the skin. Separating the nail from skin – by elevating the affected corner slightly – can bring relief.

One DIY solution for this, says Marion Yau from the Harley Medical Foot and Nail Clinic in London, is to pack a tiny piece of cotton wool directly under the affected corner of the nail.

‘It elevates the nail ever so slightly and eases the pressure on the skin, reducing pain,’ she says.

‘Spray antiseptic lotion on the cotton wool first to reduce the chances of infection, and then place a tiny piece between the nail and the skin.

‘Change the cotton wool every few days.

‘Over time, it will stop the nail growing further into the skin.’

FOOT BATH TO EASE PAIN

Soaking painful toes in a bowl of warm, salty water for 15 to 20 minutes a day could greatly reduce the discomfort they cause. ‘You can just use ordinary table salt,’ says Kate Waldren, an NHS podiatrist from Middlesbrough.

‘It cleans the area and helps to kill off any bacteria that might lead to an infection.’

The warm water also softens the skin enough that it reduces the pressure from the nail, easing the pain.

DROPS COULD HELP

Drops that soften both the skin and nail can provide relief from the pain and discomfort, says Ms Yau.

The drops contain chemicals that increase elasticity in the ingrown toenail and the hardened skin. The drops are applied to the edge of the nail twice a day with a swab applicator.

One popular brand is Profoot Toenail Softening Drops, which cost £11.99 at Boots.

‘You can get a build-up of dead skin tissue which is quite hard, and these drops can soften it so that there isn’t the same feeling of tightness,’ adds Ms Yau.

However, Ms Waldren warns: ‘Some people find the drops help but others don’t.

‘If the skin is broken or swollen down the side of the nail, don’t apply any chemicals such as drops – instead you want to keep the area clean, dry and covered and see a podiatrist.’ 

WEAR A TOE PROTECTOR

If you have a toe that is painful and swollen due to an ingrown toenail, wearing tight shoes can make the inflammation worse.

One simple solution to this is a silicone or gel-filled toe protector, which reduces friction and prevents further trauma to the affected digit.

One example is Superdrug’s Toe Gel Protector, at £2.89. It slots over the affected toe like a mini sock.

‘If you are trying these, toe caps can be breeding grounds for bacteria. Whilst they are great for protection, they can make ingrown toenails worse,’ says Ms Waldren.

…AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Ill-fitting shoes are one of the main causes of ingrown toenails. This is because the shoes force the nails to grow into the skin.

For this reason, experts say it is crucial that people ensure their shoes are comfortable and leave space for the toes to move.

Another trigger is poor nail-­cutting technique, with many wrongly believing that keeping nails short prevents the problem.

However, cutting them too short can encourage the nail to grow sideways into the skin. Instead, experts say let them grow a couple of millimetres out from the end of the toe – and then regularly clip them to that length.

And, crucially, experts say that it is important to avoid cutting the nails in a circular shape – trim them straight.

This is because, when the nail doesn’t have clear corners, the rounded edge protrudes into the skin as the nail grows.