i've had 4 surgeries on ingrown toenails, two with both big toes. the reason i had to get surgeries though was because i picked at the pain and tried to dig the nail out, and it got infected. mostly what i would do is not mess with it, and cut a "v" in the middle of the toenail so that it has room to grow inwards. just don't pick at it. other than that there really isn't a cure but if you let it grow too much a minor 5-10 minute surgery doesn't hurt.