In-grown toe nails on 6 mth old

[AussieSim]

My dh has had in-grown toe nails nearly ever since he was born. His toes are identical to dh and dh has had many operations on his big toes as a result of in-grown toe nails. I showed my doctor and she just gave me a prescription for some creme. Whenever people see his toes - which is often in this heat - they want to tell me about different cremes or powders which I don't know if I should try or they want to cut his toe nails. Has anyone else had a problem like this or know what else I should do?

[AussieSim]

oops - that should have been my ds has in-grown toe nails etc etc

[wickedstepmother]

Oh poor little mite, ingrowing nails are so painful. I have no real advice for you but perhaps you could go to see a chiropodist with DS, they may be able to offer you more advice about it than your GP ?

[Bumblelion]

My dd had in-growing toenails up until about 3 months ago.

I took her to the doctor, but all he said was to leave them well alone. Hers was on her big toe and looked all red, inflamed and very, very sore. It didn't seem to bother her too much as she wasn't walking, but she did flinch a bit if you inadvertently touched it.

She is now walking (got there eventually at 19.5 months) and has got proper shoes fitted and her toe is now fine.

I was worried that (if and) when she walked, how would she be able to wear shoes without them hurting.

As I said, I just left it well alone (apart from cutting her toenails straight across) and it sorted itself out fine.

[janh]

I have had ingrowing toenails in the past, although only relatively mildly - it happens if I cut them too low at the corner and then it's hellishly painful until the edge grows out again, but then it is OK.

Obviously, given your DH's problem, dealing with DS's toenails might not be so simple, but if he is not walking or wearing shoes they won't hurt him too badly and if you can get the corners long enough and then keep them long (and cut them straight) then he may not have your DH's difficulties.

You don't say if they're hurting him at the moment, if they are then wickedstepmother's suggestion to take him to a chiropodist is a good idea.