Ingrown toenails aren’t just something that happens to adults. Babies and toddlers can also experience them. Ingrown toenails can be painful, and, if untreated, can progress into an infection. Understanding how ingrown toenails develop, how to spot them, and how to care for your child’s toes can make a big difference in keeping their feet comfortable and healthy.
What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it (1). In babies and toddlers, this most often affects the big toe, but any nail (finger or toe) can become ingrown. The skin around the nail can become red, swollen, and tender. In some cases, infection can develop.
While adults usually get ingrown nails from shoes that don’t fit well or from improper trimming, the toenails of babies and toddlers are softer and more flexible and grow differently. Sometimes the nail simply curves into the skin as part of its natural growth pattern.
You might like this article, too: 8 Common Infant Skin Conditions
Why Do Ingrown Toenails Happen in Babies and Toddlers?
Several factors can play a role in a baby or toddler developing an ingrown toenail, including:
- Natural nail shape: Some children are simply born with nails that curve more, which increases the chance of ingrowth.
- Improper nail trimming: Cutting nails too short, or rounding them at the edges, can encourage them to grow into the skin.
- Tight socks or shoes: Snug shoes or footed pajamas that squeeze the toes may contribute. If you babywear often, pay attention to footed pajamas pulling tight on your baby’s toes while they are in the carrier.
- Trauma: Bumping a toe on something can sometimes alter how the nail grows afterward.
Signs of an Ingrown Toenail in Babies and Children
Because babies and toddlers can’t always tell you when something hurts, recognizing the signs of an ingrown toenail means paying attention to subtle cues. Here’s what to look for:
- Redness or swelling along one side of the toenail
- Pain or tenderness when the toe is touched or pressed
- Fussiness, limping, or avoiding walking (in toddlers)
- A small area of pus or drainage if infection sets in
It’s also normal for baby toenails to look curved or even appear to “grow into the skin” without causing discomfort or inflammation. If your child isn’t showing signs of redness, pain, or swelling, it may just be the natural shape of their nail, and it’s okay to just keep an eye on it.
How to Know If an Ingrown Toenail is Infected & When To Call a Doctor
Most ingrown toenails in babies and toddlers are mild and heal on their own with a little extra care (more on that below). But if bacteria enter through a small break in the skin, an infection can develop (1) … And little toes can become quite sore quickly.
Signs of Infection
Keep an eye out for the below signs that an ingrown toenail might be infected. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call your pediatrician:
- Increased redness and swelling: The skin around the nail becomes more inflamed or starts to look shiny and tight.
- Warmth or tenderness: The toe feels warm to the touch, and your child may cry or pull their foot away when it’s handled.
- Pus or drainage: You might notice yellowish or green fluid near the nail edge.
- Spreading redness: The irritation begins to extend beyond the toe itself. **This is a sign that the infection is spreading beyond the toe and is a reason to seek more urgent medical care.**
- Fever: Any signs of infection accompanied by a fever should be evaluated by a healthcare provider right away.
Beyond the above signs of infection, it is also important to speak with a doctor if:
- The toenail keeps getting ingrown or affects more than one toe.
- Your child seems uncomfortable walking or wearing shoes.
- Your child has an underlying health condition (like diabetes, immune issues, or poor circulation), and you notice signs of ingrown toenail or infection.
Home Care for Mild Ingrown Toenails in Babies and Kids
If your baby, toddler, or child has a mild ingrown toenail without signs of infection, gentle care at home often helps. You can try the following homecare techniques:
- Warm soaks: Soak the affected foot in warm water for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times a day, to soften the skin and nail. Lots of bath time is great for helping resolve minor ingrown nails. Adding some Epsom salt to the bath can be a helpful addition, too!
- Apply colloidal silver: Applying a small amount of colloidal silver to the area after soaking can help keep the area clean and calm minor irritation.
- Massage the skin: After soaking, gently massage the skin away from the nail edge. This should not be painful.
- Keep nails trimmed straight: Use baby nail scissors or clippers to trim nails straight across. Avoid cutting them too short or rounding the corners. I like soft nail files, too.
- Choose roomy footwear: Make sure socks, shoes, and footie pajamas are soft and not squeezing the toes. Barefoot play is often best at home.
- Let nails grow a little: Sometimes letting the nail grow out helps it naturally clear the skin.
This article may be helpful, too: A Guide To Cleaning Minor Cuts & Scrapes
Preventing Ingrown Toenails in Little Ones
A few simple habits can go a long way in keeping your child’s toes healthy and preventing painful ingrown nails.
- Trim toenails straight across rather than in a curved shape.
- Leave nails a little longer.
- Avoid tight shoes, socks, or footie pajamas that press on the toes or cause rubbing.
- Check toenails regularly.
How Doctors May Treat an Ingrown Toenail
If home care isn’t helping or signs of infection appear, your pediatrician can safely and gently treat the problem. Treatment depends on how severe the ingrown toenail is and whether infection is present.
For mild cases, a doctor may (2):
- Lift the nail edge: Using a sterile instrument, they can gently lift the corner of the nail away from the skin to allow it to grow correctly.
- Prescribe an antibiotic ointment: This helps reduce inflammation and prevent infection while the nail heals.
- Recommend Epsom salt or warm soaks: These soften the skin and nail, easing discomfort and encouraging the nail to grow above the skin.
If infection is present, the doctor may:
- Prescribe an antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotic, or both, depending on the severity.
- Drain any pus or fluid under sterile conditions to relieve pressure and pain.
For recurrent or severe ingrown toenails, a doctor may recommend removing a small portion of the nail under local anesthesia. This minor procedure allows the new nail edge to grow properly and prevents future ingrowth.
Most children heal quickly once the nail is treated and any infection is addressed.
Summary
Ingrown toenails in babies and toddlers are common, and most mild cases respond well to simple home care like warm soaks and gentle trimming. Keeping an eye on nail shape, practicing proper trimming techniques, and ensuring shoes fit well are the best ways to prevent problems. If ingrown toenails are recurrent, infection develops, or your child is in pain, a pediatrician can help.
References:
- Chabchoub I, Litaiem N. Ingrown Toenails. 2022 Sep 18. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 31536303.
- Gera SK, PG Zaini DKH, Wang S, Abdul Rahaman SHB, Chia RF, Lim KBL. Ingrowing toenails in children and adolescents: is nail avulsion superior to nonoperative treatment? Singapore Med J. 2019 Feb;60(2):94-96. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2018106. PMID: 30843080; PMCID: PMC6395834.
