Ingrown toenails can appear red and swollen, or only mildly irritated, depending on which stage the nail is at, so symptoms can vary greatly. Ingrown toenails start as a mild discomfort, worsening over time as the nail digs in. One or both toes can be affected, and one or both sides of the nail may be ingrown. You may have an ingrown toenail if:

• The skin surrounding the nail is red, swollen or tender
• You feel pain in the toe which is worsened when you touch it
• The toe may bleed or there may be yellow/white/clear discharge
• It’s painful to wear (tight) shoes because of the pressure on your toe
• Even the pressure from bed sheets feels like daggers or causes an ache/throb