Paediatric Ingrown Toenails

The nail plates of babies are different to those of adults, being thin and soft. As a result of the former they are also sharp and the nail plate may puncture the lateral or medial tissue causing the nail to become ingrown. The skin will become red and swollen causing the toe to be tender. An infection is present if yellow or white discharge is visible. The baby may find wearing socks and/or shoes painful due to the pressure placed on the toe with the ingrown.

Ingrown toenails are commonly caused by incorrectly cutting the nail plate and wearing tight socks and/or shoes. Some babies are born with an inherited tendency for the nail plate to grow curved rather than straight. This increases the likelihood of the nail growing into the tissue and becoming ingrown.

They can be prevented by cutting the nail with a clipper straight across and not too short leaving the corners visible.


Starace M., Alessandrini A. & B. M. Piraccini, “Nail Disorders in Children”, Skin Appendage Disorders 4 (2018), 217-29.

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