Ingrown toe nail?

[Muddledmotherhood]

Hi! My 7 year old is complaining of pain on both big toes, down the sides. I’ve looked and it looks a little red but not swollen and there is no puss.
This has gone on for months and at first I thought it was just her sensory issues, but it’s been several months now and even when I lightly run my finger over the skin she says it’s painful.
We saw a GP who was about as much use as a chocolate tea pot. She didn’t even look at the nail or toes properly and just said it’s not swollen or full of puss so it isn’t an ingrown nail.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this and any clues as to what it could be?

I’ve uploaded a couple of photos of each big toe to show the redness (excuse the dirt, we literally cleaned them this evening after the bath and already they have stuff under them!).

Not an expert, but in a 7 year old that doesn't look remotely normal. I would query an infection? The nail definitely looks malformed. Perhaps take her to a podiatrist?

I’d go see a podiatrist. My daughter had a corn under her toenail and the GP dismissed it - podiatrist had it sorted in 5 mins!

Thanks guys, I didn’t think it looked right myself. I will book a GP appt and ask for a referral to a podiatrist. I unfortunately cannot afford private care at the minute, so I’m going to push the GP this time and refuse to leave until it’s sorted.

Can I self refer under the NHS for a podiatrist at all, or does it have to be through a GP?

I had ingrown nail, no pus except when i got the nail out ( which had to be done due to the pain).
it also hurt to lightly touch the sides. You may even be able to feel the nail in the corner.

Need GP to refer you, they may not do anything yet.

My son has two and they left it and told him to come back when it had gotten worse. Qeue now they both bleed and they've only just organised surgery! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Podiatrist is not mega £££££s - surely you do not need to badger a GP for a referral.
**The NHS is hard to use at the moment with far more urgent needs. Refusing to leave sounds over-dramatic.

Not everyone has £60 or whatever though.

I don't wish to rain on your parade, but I had a podiatry referral in 2019 due to being a priority (disability related) group. I am still waiting.... And where I live, if you aren't a priority group, you aren't entitled to a referral at all. I ended up going private - to be fair, although I get that not everyone can afford it, it was only £35. I guess whether you can afford it has to be balanced with how long a 7 year old may have to wait.

Hi all thanks for the replies. I went to the GP this morning who had given a cream to use and has said to soak the toe 2-3 times a day in salt and to use a cotton bud to sort the skin. She said this should hopefully help as because it’s been a few months with no change that she thinks there isn’t an infection. So has said to try the suggestion first and if not then come back.

in regards to the comments that say it’s not that expensive for private care, where I looked in my local areas was £90 plus for consultation and then £350 for the removal. As a single parent on a small wage and feeling the cost of living rise, unfortunately that just isn’t doable right now. Believe me, I would have private health care in an instant if I wasn’t in the position I am currently in.
If I can find one for £35-£50 the I will definitely make an appointment, but £375 is obviously a little bit too steep at this current time.

Does the nail curve at all? My big toenails are really curved so if I cut them too short they start to dig into the edges. Boots sell am ingrown toenail kit. You place a little plastic thing on the nail to straighten it out and take the pressure off the edges. It is a bit fiddly though and not sure if a 7yo would be able to manage not to keep knocking it off.

Oh wow, that is so expensive!! I only pay £40 for consultation and treatment. Sometimes they don’t even charge for young children 😬!

The edges are digging in. You need to get in the habit of releasing the corners, then letting them grow a bit longer so the corner isn’t poking in. After a bath, run an orange stick under the nail to the corners and ease it around so it’s free of the skin. It’s not particularly hard or uncomfortable and once done you can just keep an eye on it.