In-growing nails : These are sometimes caused by too small footwear forcing the nail into the fleshy padding of the toe itself, although sometimes, due to the natural shape of the nail in proportion to the toe, the flesh can overwhelm the nail. Never cut down sides of the nail, or cut the nail too near the ‘quick’.

You can relieve the pain and try to encourage the nail to grow straight by tucking a small amount of cotton wool under the nail at the sides. But again a chiropodist is the best person for expert treatment.