My left big toe was bothering me and a piece of nail was sticking up, so I trimmed it off with toenail clippers. However, I read that to avoid ingrowns you need to cut the nail in a straight line. My nail is straight--except for the piece I accidentally cut off. I had an ingrown in that area about 2 months ago.

What can I do to make sure it doesn't become ingrown again? I'm going on vacation for a week (with NO access to medical supplies like peroxide, etc.) and I don't want it to become ingrown and infected! Please help!

Try pushing a tiny tiny piece of cotton under the nail with a wooden cuticle stick at the area where you cut it too short. A tramatologist once told me to do this when a manicurist stabbed my toe and it swole up!!! You might want to use some alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on the area as well. Janetto