If you experience any foot care issues that do not resolve themselves naturally or through routine foot care within three weeks, you should seek the help of a healthcare professional. Also, constrictive footwear, improper foot hygiene, or activities like soccer, football, or ballet can cause the toenail to grow into the surrounding skin. If you have brittle nails with sharp edges or are in the habit of breaking off bits of nail that are sticking out, you are also more likely to get an ingrowing toenail.

Toenail correction stickers: An alternative to the toenail corrector or toenail brace is a correction sticker. In some cases a total nail avulsion (TNA) may be performed, where the entire nail plate and root are removed. The fungus starts out mild, growing in the moist area beneath the nail bed, but over time it can spread and cause the toenail to thicken and become discolored. Before you are seen by a podiatrist, you can relieve the discomfort by bathing your foot in a salty footbath which helps to prevent infection and reduces inflammation.With partial removal your problem toe is numbed with a local anaesthetic and the edges of the toenail are cut away.

Further Reading Hallux Rigidus Toe Deformities Ageing feet Athlete's Foot Blisters What are bunions? If you have diabetes, are taking steroids or are on anti-coagulants, don’t attempt to cut your nails or remove an ingrowing spikes of nail yourself.This procedure is done under a local anaesthetic where part of the nail is removed (including the root), leaving a permanently narrower nail.