Ingrown Toenails In Children

June 16, 2026

Is Your Child Struggling With A Painful Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown toenails can be surprisingly painful for children.

What may start as mild redness or tenderness around the edge of the nail can quickly become uncomfortable, making it difficult to wear shoes, participate in sports or enjoy everyday activities.

Many parents first notice their child complaining of pain when putting on socks or football boots. Others become concerned when the skin around the nail becomes swollen, red or begins to show signs of infection.

At Callen Olive, we understand how distressing ingrown toenails can be for both children and parents. We care about helping children return to comfortable, pain-free movement whilst providing reassurance and expert guidance throughout treatment.

What Is An Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin instead of growing straight forward.

As the nail presses into the skin, it can cause irritation, inflammation and discomfort. If left untreated, the area may become infected and increasingly painful.

The big toenail is most commonly affected, although other toenails can occasionally develop similar problems.

How Can Ingrown Toenails Affect Children?

Children are naturally active.

When an ingrown toenail develops, even simple activities such as walking, running, playing sport or attending school can become uncomfortable.

Many children begin avoiding activities they normally enjoy because of pain. Others try to continue participating, only for symptoms to worsen over time.

Our goal is to relieve discomfort quickly and help children return to normal activities as soon as possible.

Common Signs & Symptoms

Children with an ingrown toenail may experience:

Pain along the side of the nail.
Redness around the nail.
Swelling.
Tenderness when touched.
Difficulty wearing shoes.
Discomfort during sport.
Infection around the nail.
Bleeding or discharge in more advanced cases.

Symptoms often worsen as the nail continues to grow into the skin.

Why Do Ingrown Toenails Develop?

Several factors can contribute to ingrown toenails in children.

One of the most common causes is repeated picking, peeling or biting of the toenails. Whilst this often starts as a habit or response to anxiety, boredom or stress, it can alter the natural shape of the nail and encourage it to grow into the surrounding skin.

Other common causes include:

Picking, peeling or biting the toenails.
Incorrect nail cutting.
Tight footwear.
Football boots and sports footwear.
Repeated trauma to the nail.
Excessive sweating.
Naturally curved nails.
Family history of ingrown toenails.
Rapid growth during childhood and adolescence.

In many cases, several factors may be contributing at the same time.

Identifying the underlying cause is an important part of treatment, helping us reduce the risk of the problem returning in the future.

Nail Picking & Nail Biting In Children

Many parents are surprised to learn that picking, peeling or biting toenails is one of the most common causes of ingrown toenails in children and teenagers.

These habits can leave sharp edges along the nail, alter the way the nail grows and increase the likelihood of the nail piercing the surrounding skin.

Where nail picking or biting is contributing to the problem, we provide practical advice to help break the cycle and support healthy nail growth moving forward.

How We Assess Ingrown Toenails

At Callen Olive, assessment begins with understanding your child's symptoms and how they are affecting daily life.

We carefully assess:

The appearance of the nail.
The severity of the problem.
Signs of infection.
Footwear.
Activity levels.
Previous episodes.

Understanding the stage of the condition allows us to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Understanding The Stages Of An Ingrown Toenail

Stage 1 – Early Irritation

At this stage, the nail begins pressing into the skin.

Children may experience:

Mild pain.
Redness.
Tenderness.
Slight swelling.

Early treatment often prevents progression.

Stage 2 – Increased Inflammation

As irritation continues, symptoms may become more noticeable.

Children may develop:

Increased swelling.
More significant pain.
Localised infection.
Difficulty wearing footwear comfortably.

Stage 3 – Chronic Ingrown Toenail

At this stage, the condition may become persistent.

The skin can begin growing around the nail and infection may repeatedly return.

Professional treatment is often required to provide long-term relief.

Your Child's Personalised Treatment Plan

Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail and your child's symptoms.

Options may include:

Conservative nail care.
Nail edge reduction.
Footwear advice.
Infection management.
Home care guidance.
Nail surgery where appropriate.

Our aim is always to choose the least invasive treatment option capable of resolving the problem.

Nail Surgery For Children

For children experiencing recurrent or persistent ingrown toenails, nail surgery may be recommended.

This minor procedure removes the problematic section of nail and can provide a long-term solution for recurring symptoms.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and is commonly carried out for both children and adults.

We take time to explain the process fully, answer any questions and ensure both parents and children feel comfortable throughout treatment.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails From Returning

Following treatment, we provide personalised advice designed to reduce the risk of recurrence.

This may include:

Nail cutting guidance.
Footwear recommendations.
Sports-specific advice.
Ongoing monitoring where required.

Small changes can often make a significant difference.

When Should You Seek Professional Advice?

Professional assessment is recommended if:

Your child is experiencing pain.
Redness or swelling is increasing.
Signs of infection are present.
The problem repeatedly returns.
Sport or school activities are being affected.

Early intervention often leads to quicker resolution and less discomfort.

Related Conditions

Children's Foot Health
Verrucas In Children
Children's Heel Pain
Flat Feet In Children
Fungal Toenails

Related Treatments

Children's Foot Health Assessment
Nail Surgery
Ongoing Foot Health Care
Foot Health Consultation
New Patient Consultation

Learn More About Foot Health

Family Foot Health
Healthy Feet Through Every Stage Of Life
Sports Podiatry

Why Choose Callen Olive?

We Care.

We care about more than treating ingrown toenails.

We care about helping children stay active, comfortable and confident in their everyday lives.

By combining expert assessment, gentle treatment and personalised care, we help children return to the activities they love as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Treatment Fees:

No two patients are the same.

That's why every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and goals. Following your assessment, your clinician will explain the treatment options available and help you choose the most appropriate pathway to achieve the best possible outcome.

Our focus is always on helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your comfort, mobility and long-term wellbeing.

Children's New Patient Ingrowing Toenail Consultation: £100

Foot Health Follow Up Consultation: £90

Our team will support you throughout every stage of your recovery to ensure you feel informed, reassured and cared for. If you are unsure which appointment is most suitable, our Patient Care Team will be happy to help, please call us on 0333 305 8347.