What Does an Ingrown Fingernail Look Like?

Ingrown fingernails occur when the nail becomes embedded in the skin and the skin starts to grow around the nail. The condition is extremely painful. The nail must be extracted from the skin before the condition can be reversed.

Swelling

Swelling at the intersection of the edge of the nail and the skin is the most common identifier of an ingrown fingernail. Swelling usually occurs on one side of the nail, close to the the edge of the finger.

Protrusion

The skin starts to protrude over the nail in some cases. If this occurs, the nail groove, the line where the nail rests against the skin, becomes hidden by swollen skin.

Redness

Redness is extremely common. When pressure is applied to the location, the redness might go away only to return as pressure is taken away.

Infection

Infected ingrown fingernails ooze pus and discharge. The pus oozes out between the nail and skin when pressure is applied.

Discoloration

Discoloration is also common. Ingrown fingernails may appear purple and blue.

References

• "Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology"; Milady, Diane Carol Bailey and Margrit Attenburg; 2008