Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Ingrown Toenail with Pus
Causes & Best Home Treatment
Relieve Foot & Ankle Pain—Right from Home.
An Ingrown Toenail with Pus is an extremely dangerous situation if not handled correctly. If you are experiencing any nausea, fever, chills and you probably need to see a podiatrist immediately (especially if you are a diabetic or have poor blood flow). If the ingrown nail isn’t that bad and you feel fine- there are really effective ways to decrease the curvature and the pain pretty quickly at home. These focus on decreasing the pain, softening the nail and the skin, separating the ingrowth from the skin and then doing something about it. The following is the complete guide on how to handle your ingrown toenail pain.
Signs & Symptoms
- Pain in the front corners of the nail while pushing down on the front of the nail. – Block this with a cotton ball or a bandaid as seen below : WATCH VIDEO
- Toe swelling especially at the nail edges. This may need anti-inflammation control.
- Ingrown nail pus: this usually means that there is an infection.
Causes
- Nail Fungus – The fungus needs to be removed or it will keep reoccuring.
- Pressure induced nail thickness – See Onychogryphosis treatment guide.
- Heels or tight shoes. See guide on how to measure this properly
- Genetics & Weight.
Treatment for Big Toe Pain Around The Nail
If you have an ingrown toenail with pus, it is essential that you go see a podiatrist immediately. Especially if you are experiencing any nausea, fever, chills, if you are a diabetic or have poor blood flow. If this does not apply to you then the following remedies may be valuable to you.
Home Remedies
- Treat both Nail Fungus or Non-Fungal Nail Thickness – Click on each to get a essential video guide on how to do just that.
- Soak the foot in warm water 3-4x per day for 15-30mins, this will make the nail and the skin softer allowing better evaluation or cutting of the corner. Once there is less pain you can move onto the next step. WATCH VIDEO.
- MOST IMPORTANT part of home treatment: After it is soaked try to lift the nail and put some gauze or a bandaid underneath the sharp and painful corner. WATCH VIDEO.
- Avoid heels or tight shoes until the condition gets better, try to wear a loose shoe like a running shoe or sandals.
- When trimming your nails, cut straight across. Do not round the corners. WATCH VIDEO.
- Keep the nail thin and make sure the nail curvature remains decreased. WATCH VIDEO.
- Be careful attempting to cut out the ingrowth yourself, if you cut yourself at all go see a podiatrist immediatly, especially if you have diabetes, you have unusually bad foot circulation or any other systemic medical condition.
When To Go See a Podiatrist
- Essential to go see the podiatrist if this ever comes back or if the nail ever penetrates your skin after trying to take care of it at home
- Early treatment can be splints, cotton wicks, plastic strips, plastic tubes down the side of the nail, plastic type glue under the corner is possible.
- The 1st step is to resect the nail after some numbing medication is used, then correct the underlying problem, whether it be nail dystrophy or nail fungus.
- The 2nd step is to see if it comes back in 1-2 months. An X-ray should be taken to rule out a bone spur under the nail. A nail avulsion may be attempted- this is a permanent resection of that border of the nail ensuring it will never grow back.
- Tetanus prophylaxis may be needed. 1st the podiatrist will numb around the base of the toe, then cut back on the nail and use sodium hydroxide or phenol in the nail bed to keep the nail from growing back If an infection is present- Antibiotics will be necessary, then the toe is covered by ointment and gauze- you will be back on your feet in no time!
- Watch this Nail Avulsion Video
- More extensive surgery can be used in very severe cases to remove the entire nail. The nail matrix is then treated with Phenol to prevent re-growth.
Other Related Nail Problems
See if any of these other problems apply to your situation!
From Heel to Toe: Trusted Treatment Videos
Get the Facts Before You Step into Treatment.
Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Howell and Bloomfield Hills?
If you’re experiencing ingrown toenail pus, don’t wait for the infection to get worse—professional care is the safest and fastest way to relieve pain and protect your foot health. At Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, our expert podiatrists provide safe, effective treatments to remove infection, stop the pus, and prevent ingrown toenails from coming back. From in-office procedures to long-term prevention plans, we’re here to help you walk comfortably again.
Call today to schedule your appointment and get the relief you deserve.
Ingrown Toenail with Pus – Common Questions Answered
Pus indicates that the ingrown toenail has become infected. This happens when bacteria enter the broken skin around the nail edge.
Yes — if left untreated, the infection can spread deeper into the toe or foot, especially in people with diabetes or circulation problems.
Symptoms include pus, redness, swelling, warmth, throbbing pain, and sometimes a foul odor around the nail.
Yes, compression socks or sleeves can help reduce swelling, improve circulation, and relieve discomfort. They’re especially helpful if you’re on your feet for long periods or suffer from mild to moderate venous insufficiency or inflammation.
No — squeezing can push the infection deeper. It’s best to see a podiatrist who can safely drain the pus and treat the infection properly.
A podiatrist may clean and drain the area, prescribe antibiotics, and remove part of the nail to relieve pressure and prevent the nail from growing inward again.
Often, yes — oral or topical antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection, especially if there is significant redness or swelling.
You can do warm saltwater soaks and keep the toe clean, but professional treatment is strongly recommended if pus is present.
Trim toenails straight across, avoid tight shoes, wear breathable socks, and seek early podiatric care if you notice tenderness or redness along the nail edge.