Baby with ingrown toenails? Anyone else?

[dontcomeatme]

I noticed when my DS was only a few weeks old that he had ingrown toenails, they weren't overly red or swollen so I weren't particularly worried. I've tried keeping them soft with long baths and trimming them regularly to try and prevent any issues arising. However lately I just can't get on top of them. He's 6 months now and they're very red, swollen and he won't let me touch them. I'm worried he seems in pain and he's going to start getting infections. Has anyone else's young DC suffered this early on? Any tips or tricks as I'm unsure what to do at this point. I was going to book a GP appointment but realistically what can they do? Remove his big toenails? 😅
For context none of my family have their big toenails, all removed due to ingrown issues, I'm assuming it's a genetic thing, poor bairn has no luck so far! It's both feet and each side of the toenail. Any advice would be helpful.

Images under review.

If your baby is in pain and his toes are red and swollen then you need to take him to the GP. I’ve no idea what the treatment will be but you need to get him checked.

It sounds like he might just have got an unlucky toenail shape genetically and they might need to be removed. He should see a GP as soon as possible, in the meantime salt water soaks might keep bacteria levels lower and relieve the pain a little. Poor little thing!

Poor lad. They might be able to give him an ointment and refer for treatment for toenail. He won't be the first baby with this

My daughter had five ingrowing fingernails that got infected within two weeks of being born. She has fan shaped nails like me. Antibiotics were given at the time and I've managed her fingernails (and after a year or two, her toenails) at home with a mixture of shaping and cutting and prompt gp visits for antibiotics when required.

Poor baby looks painful. DS had a slice of his toenail removed age 13 as it was ingrowing. I didn't know it could happen ti babies.

That looks really sore for him. Deffo worthy of a trip to see a gp/nurse.

I had this with my baby, but admittedly I didn't touch it and just kept an eye on it, it never got red or looked painful and eventually as her foot developed the issue resolved itself. I have read that cutting toenail the "wrong" way can make the issue worse so maybe check out how to cut toenails properly if you haven't already as you mention cutting the toenails as a treatment you're using.

The toe does look inflamed and I would definitely take them to the GP about this.

Thanks everyone! My initial thought was GP, but didn't know if I was overreacting/overthinking.

@QuaintSwan I have tried to soak his feet in salt water but he kicked the living daylights of out my little poor attempt at a bucket spa 😅 I will persevere though.

@CracklingFlames fingers and toes 😰 poor thing! She must have been in pain with those fingernails bless her. I can't even imagine, I think I'm the only member of my family spared the curse!

@Oaktreet I did have a little Google on the best way to cut them before giving it a go, but in all honesty he's such a wriggler and so strong, I know for a fact that I haven't done it properly/cut it down enough.

I will definitely book a GP appointment for him, he seems in pain to me, I've been putting the irritability and clinginess down to teeth these past few days but I think it might actually be his toes 😥 x

Definitely take him to the GP or even contact a chiropodist over the phone to ask questions (although they may not be trained to work with babies they may give you some tips).

I heard ingrown toenails should be kept longer to help with growing properly rather than being cut down?

@redonion2 I never thought about that, I'm sure my GP surgery has a podiatrist in house as well.
Really? I'll have to look into that! I thought once they were under the skin you had to pull them out and trim the sides to try and prevent infections. I'll ask when I ring what's best x

My DD has had a bout of this she's 8 months, I didn't bother with the GP and they did heal on their own- with some sudocrem on every now and then. They weren't quite as red as your DS but the skin did peel off and they are fine now.