Just found out today that the infection in my sons toe was caused by an ingrown toenail. We got an oral antibiotic as he was on a topical antibiotic ointment for a week and the infection didn't go away. The doctor recommended that we soak his foot 3 times per day, then take that piece of the toe nail clipper that swings out and put it under his nail to work it out so it doesn't keep growing into his skin.
I'm just wondering if anyone has dealt with ingrown toenails in toddlers (he is 16 months), and what you did to prevent it from happening again.
Any suggestions are welcome...this is new territory to me.
Whenever I've had one I soak the toe, clean under the nail and lift it up and tuck a small piece of cotton ball underneath (torn off, just enough to keep it lifted). This helps the toenail grow out in the right place and keeps stuff from getting buried in there. I know my mom used to do that when we were kids and she is a nurse, but I'm not sure if you could get your toddler to let you do that.
Soak in Epsom salt,don't skip the antibiotic,don't dig it'll make it worse,disinfect before & after the toenail clippers,let it grow out don't pull it out when you see it unless you can get all of it if not it'll reoccur.Don't wear flip flops for play he'll stub his toes & that'll make it hurt worse.Cover with a band aid when playing outside if in sandals.The best thing that was done for me is a piece of match the kids from a match book snip off a piece of that & put it under the toenail which the ingrown toenail has formed it lifts up the nail bed just a little to relieve the pain & pressure plus helps with the nail growth to grow outward, this was done daily,yes this was my pediatrcian who did this when I was a kid & someting I always remembered & pass on
My dad used to get them a lot too. His Dr. told him to soak his foot in one of those massaging foot tub things with epsom salt. Clean salt bath every time and at least once a day.
To prevent it you have to let the nail grow a bit longer than normal. My husband suffers from these, and my toddlers have his toenails, so it's only a matter of time before they get one.
