You have probably noticed that your baby’s nails grow extremely fast. Although nails on the toes grow slower than fingernails, you should take a good care of them too, and act fast when something disturbs your baby.
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
When the skin on the sides of your baby’s toenails start growing over the edges and becomes red and swollen, your baby may have an ingrown toenail issue, i.d. nail is growing or pressing into the skin and damaging it.
Although it happens more often with bigger toes, any other toe can be affected.
What are the Signs of an Ingrown Nail?
You should consider the following signs of baby’s ingrown toenail, as alarming:
- When the skin in the corners around the nail turns red, and it is hot and swollen, and your baby shows discomfort.
- The ingrown toenail damages your baby’s skin causing inflammation, pain, and you can even see pus in the infected area.
Diagnosis of an Ingrown Toenail
When you notice these signs of an ingrown toenail infection in your baby, you can diagnose it yourself and choose treatment.
You should act fast, as bacteria under the broken skin causes infection and will quickly lead to developing pus under the nail.
If your baby is feeling very sick, you should immediately show the infected toe to the doctor. Self-treatment may not be effective in some cases, and even the doctor will need to get an X-ray to see if infection reaches bones and joints.
What are the Causes of an Ingrown Toenail In Babies?
The following can cause an ingrown toenail issue:
- When you trim baby’s toenails not the right way.
- Trauma to nails due to wrong size of shoewear or constant stabbing at the wall or with a toy.
- Fungal infection that a baby caught at birth.
- Inherited disease with a family history of ingrown toenails.
- Different changes in nail development due to some medical issues.
Can I Treat Baby’s Ingrown Toenail Myself?
When you catch it early and an ingrown toenail just started to cause redness and inflammation on your baby’s toe, you can try the following options to heal it at home:
- First of all, try to help your baby to boost immune shield to fight infection with vitamin D and various probiotics, e.g. Mommy's Bliss Probiotic Drops + Vitamin D.
- Use Epsom Salt or Camilla extract to soak baby toes for 10-15 minutes twice or three times each day, until infection goes away.
- You can also try warm compress on the affected area with these remedies to help the skin loosen and to ease discomfort.Do not cut the infected toenail and do not try to open the wound yourself.
- Antifungal Soap with Tea Tree Oil may help you wash away and protect other toes from catching fungus from each other.
- Antibiotic cream Neosporin + Pain Relief Cream is a stronger remedy. It will resolve toe infection quicker if you put some cream under the baby’s nail, when the baby sleeps, and insert a sterile gauze on top of it. Replace the gauze many times each day.
- Keep baby’s foot dry and make it wear loose shoes or even better, if you leave your baby barefoot at home until the toe heals.
- In some heavy cases of infection, laser surgical involvement will be the only option. The doctor will quickly remove infected nail, partially or completely.
Please note that babies with diabetes, nerve damage or poor circulation, in any show of toe infection, should be taken to the doctor immediately.
Can I Prevent Ingrown Toenail Infection in my Baby?
One of the best ways to handle ingrown toenail is to prevent its appearance. Here are some advise for you to follow:
- Trim your baby’s toes properly.
- Choose the right size of your baby footwear and never use somebody’s shoes.
- Protect your baby’s feet from injury and keep them clean and dry at all times.
Why Toenails need Trimming less Often?
Baby’s toenails do not need trimming very often. Baby’s toenails are much softer than fingernails. They are so soft that when they grow long, they curve into the skin and do not damage it.
If the skin around the nail is not red, you should not worry. You can let toenails grow naturally for a few months, before you cut them next time.
How to Cut Baby’s Toenails Properly?
- Never trim baby’s toenails same way as fingernails.
- Cut baby’s toenails less often - once in two-three months.
- Never cut them too short and deep.
- Always cut toenails straight and never in a curved shape.
- Never cut sharp corners of toenails, they are very soft and can curve smoothly without damaging baby’s skin. Otherwise, they will grow inside again and again, and it may increase risk of inflammation.
How to Cut Newborn Baby Nails without Hurting It?
Best time to trim your baby’s tiny nails is while it is sleeping or, if you can do two things at a time, while you are feeding. When your baby is older, you may entertain it with something and do one side at a time.
It would be the right time to do just after a bath, when the nails are especially soft and it is easier to trim them.
You should only use clippers or scissors specially made for trimming baby’s nails, e.g. Baby Nail Clipper or Baby Safety Nail Scissors.
For newborns doctors suggest that you use an emery board Baby Nail File instead of nail clippers, it will also keep edges of baby’s nails soft.
The best way to handle ingrown toenail issues is to take good care of baby’s hygiene.
