Tackling Ingrown Toenails:
The Podiatrist’s Perspective

By: Amber Edwards

When you hear the term word “ingrown toenail” do you immediately think of pain? Most pedicurists tend to avoid working on ingrown toenails because they’re not confident that they know the proper procedures for trimming or shaping. They often wonder, “Should you round the nails or square them? Angle them or leave them alone? Can I, as a pedicurist, help keep ingrowns under control with only a monthly pedicure visit?”

I found the answers to these questions and more by teaming up with Dr Marlene Reid, a Chicago area podiatrist seen on Oprah, ABC News and other Chicago news programs. Together, Dr. Marlene Reid and I are reaching our goal of educating pedicurists, one issue at a time. Below is our conversation on ingrown toenails:

Amber: Should a pedicurist try to cut ingrown toenails?

Dr. Reid: A recurring ingrown toenail occurs when the nail wants to curve inward. If the client relates that they are experiencing pain and the nail plate seems to be curving inward, as long as it is not infected , instead of cutting the nail straight across, it should be rounded, cutting the portion of the nail that is digging into the skin and causing the pain. If the client has a recurring problem, that’s when they need to be referred to a podiatrist. Occasional ingrown nails are usually caused by a nail spicule left in the corner when the nail was last cut.

Amber: Is soaking the feet first to soften the nails soft a good or bad idea?

Dr. Reid: Soaking is a personal preference. I don’t like cutting toe nails moist. I like them to be dry.

Amber: Can you share with our readers the signs of infection?

Dr. Reid: Swelling, which can occur on one whole side of the toe, or it just seems puffy where the ingrown toe nail curves in. Any redness or drainage is a strong indication. If you see signs of infection, it should be cleared up before a pedicure. The first thing a client can try at home is soaking their foot twice a day in warm water for twenty minutes and then applying a topical antibiotic cream or solution.

Amber: Any advice for the pedicurist to pass onto their clients about preventing ingrown toenails?

Dr. Reid: Nothing a pedicurist can do will prevent a recurring ingrown nail! The cell structure is telling the nail how to grow. The only preventative measure to keep the toe free of pain is cutting the nail on an angle as it grows in. A podiatrist can remove the cell structure to permanently treat the ingrown nail. In some people, the curved portion goes all the way to the back. This would be another time you would refer them to a podiatrist for further treatment. To prevent the ingrown resulting from a spicule, be sure to cut the nail plate all the way from side to side.