Managing Ingrown Toenails in Children: When to Worry and When to See a Podiatrist

If your child is hobbling, avoiding shoes, or complaining about a sore toe, there’s a good chance an ingrown toenail could be the culprit. It’s one of the most common foot conditions we see in children at My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, especially around growth spurts or when school shoes start to feel tight.

Many parents assume an ingrown toenail is just a phase that will pass on its own, but without the right care, it can quickly become red, swollen, and infected. Understanding why children develop them and how we treat them safely makes all the difference.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails in Children

Ingrown toenails develop when the edge of the nail starts to press into or grow under the surrounding skin. In children, this can happen for a few key reasons:

• Tight or narrow shoes that press on growing toes

• Incorrect nail cutting, especially rounding the edges too short

• Rapid growth during childhood and teenage years

• Inherited nail shape, where nails naturally curve inwards

• Sweaty feet or poor sock ventilation that softens the skin around the nail

• Toe trauma, such as stubbing a toe or repeated knocks during sport

This problem most often affects the big toe, but active kids who play sport, dance, or wear enclosed shoes for long hours can develop it on other toes as well.

Recognising the Signs Early

It’s easy to miss the early stages of an ingrown toenail, especially when kids brush off minor pain. Here’s what to look for:

• Redness or swelling along one or both sides of the nail

• Pain when the toe is pressed or when wearing shoes

• Clear or yellow fluid at the nail edge

• Skin growing over the side of the nail

• Complaints of burning or sharp pain at night

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to have your child assessed early by a podiatrist. Early treatment helps prevent infection and stops the problem from worsening.

Why Children Are More Prone to Ingrown Nails

Children’s feet grow quickly, and their nails can change shape faster than adults. During growth spurts, the soft tissues around the nail can’t always keep up, which leads to irritation or overgrowth of skin at the nail edge.

Combine this with sport, school shoes, and sometimes sweaty socks, and it’s the perfect environment for an ingrown nail to start.

At My Family Podiatry, we regularly see children and teens from Albany Creek, Eatons Hill, Warner, Bridgeman Downs, and across Brisbane with ingrown nails that flare up after a busy school term or sports season.

How We Treat Ingrown Toenails in Kids

Our goal is to relieve pain quickly, stop infection, and prevent the problem from coming back. Treatment depends on your child’s age, severity, and nail shape.

Conservative Treatment

For most children, conservative care is all that’s needed. This may include:

• Gently lifting the edge of the nail away from the skin or cutting out the ingrown piece of nail (providing instant relief)

• Cleaning the area and applying an antiseptic dressing

• Providing pressure-relieving padding or toe protectors

• Teaching correct nail cutting and shoe-fitting habits

We may also recommend salt water soaks and breathable socks to help reduce inflammation and promote healing.

These gentle methods work very well in children, especially when treatment begins early.

Surgical Treatment (When Needed)

We normally avoid performing ingrown toenail surgery on children under 10 years old unless absolutely necessary. For older children and teens who have persistent or infected ingrown nails, a small in-clinic procedure called a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) may be recommended.

This involves removing the offending nail edge under local anaesthetic, followed by a chemical treatment to prevent that side from growing back. It is quick, safe, and allows most children to walk comfortably the same day.

Preventing Ingrown Nails in Children

A few small changes can make a big difference in prevention:

• Cut toenails straight across rather than curved

• Make sure shoes fit with room for the toes to move

• Change socks daily, especially after sport

• Encourage kids to mention toe pain early

• Avoid trimming nails too short

Teaching kids good habits early helps prevent problems as they grow.

When to See a Podiatrist

If your child’s toe looks red, swollen, or starts leaking fluid, or if they avoid walking or wearing shoes, it’s time to see a podiatrist. Infection can develop quickly in kids, and a podiatrist can clean and treat the area safely.

At My Family Podiatry, we provide gentle, family-friendly care for children and teens. Parents often comment that their kids feel comfortable and calm throughout their visit.

Our clinic also offers same-day appointments for painful or infected ingrown nails, so your child doesn’t have to wait in discomfort.

Why Families Choose My Family Podiatry

• Friendly, child-focused care in Albany Creek

• Experienced in treating children’s ingrown toenails and growth-related issues

• Modern clinic with gentle treatment options

• Convenient for families from Eatons Hill, Warner, Bridgeman Downs, and surrounding suburbs through North Brisbane

• Easy parking and online booking

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes ingrown toenails in children?

Most often it’s due to tight shoes, curved nails, or nails cut too short. Rapid growth during childhood also contributes.

Children and teenagers also tend to have sweaty feet which can soften the skin around the nails, increasing the risk of the nail becoming ingrown.

Can kids have ingrown toenail surgery?

We avoid surgery in children under 10 whenever possible. For older children or teens with severe or recurrent cases, a small in-clinic procedure under local anaesthetic may be appropriate.

How can I prevent my child from getting ingrown toenails again?

Cut nails straight, ensure shoes fit well, and dry feet thoroughly after bathing or sport. If your child is prone to them, a regular podiatry visit can help keep nails healthy.

Ingrown toenails in children can go from mild to painful very quickly. The good news is that with early attention and gentle podiatric care, most resolve easily and without long-term problems.

If your child is limping, avoiding shoes, or complaining about a sore toe, book an appointment at My Family Podiatry Albany Creek. Our experienced podiatrists will help them get back to walking, running, and playing pain-free.

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