An ingrown toenail can cause crippling pain and occurs when a sharp edge of the toenail begins to grow inward, cutting into the skin at the side of the toe, causing infection and discomfort. In the early stages, redness develops around the affected toenail along with pain when shoes press on the area. As time goes on, the pain worsens as the inflammation progresses. Eventually, the area may bleed and/or pus may begin to seep. In serious cases, a fever may develop. While surgery is often the best solution for an ingrown toenail, there are a number of at-home remedies that can be helpful during the early stages.
Ingrown toenails are prevalent among those who wear closed-toe shoes for long periods of time. Pressure on the toes and nails from poor-fitting shoes combined with the moisture from sweat is a recipe for toenail trouble. Ingrown toenail is potentially a serious condition for diabetics.