An ingrown toenail is a toenail with an edge that pushes into the skin and soft tissue at the side of the nail. Ingrown nails may produce no symptoms at first but eventually may become painful, especially when pressure is applied to the ingrown area. This, commonly, can get septic, thereby requiring medication.
Ingrown toenails occur when one or two corners of a nail usually the big toe's nail grow into the surrounding skin. They are painful, common, and surprisingly preventable. Here are some simple remedies to help you treat Ingrown toe nails:
As unattractive as long toenails are, you shouldn't trim your nails too short. Aggressively cut nails often become ingrown be moderate when you trim your toenails, and, if necessary, cut them more regularly.
Keep toenails square in shape. Rounding the corners may look prettier, but this will encourage nails to grow into the surrounding tissue.
Don't wear toe-pinching shoes. Cramming toes into tight shoes often leads to nail problems.
Ingrown ToeNail Treatment Options
Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they are recognized. If they are recognized early (before infection sets in), home care may prevent the need for further treatment:
Soak the foot in warm water 3-4 times daily.
Keep the foot dry during the rest of the day.
Wear comfortable shoes with adequate room for the toes. Consider wearing sandals until the condition clears up.
You may take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.
If there is no improvement in 2-3 days, or if the condition worsens, call your doctor.
You may need to gently lift the edge of the ingrown toenail from its embedded position and insert some cotton or waxed dental floss between the nail and your skin. Change this packing every day.
Home Remedy to Treat Ingrown Toe Nails
If you do find yourself with a mild ingrown toenail, you can try to remedy it yourself. Fill up a basin or tub with warm water, add a tablespoon of salt, and soak your foot for 15 to 20 minutes. Next, gently wedge a tiny bit of dry cotton, such as part of a cotton wool ball, under the ingrown corner or corners of the nail. This will need to be repeated nightly for 2 or 3 weeks until the nail has grown out.
If strong pain, swelling, redness, or infection develops around an ingrown toenail, visit your doctor, as he or she will remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
To cure ingrown toenails
You can do several things to prevent ingrown toenails from forming:
Cut your toenails straight across so that the corner of the nail is visible above the skin.
Use clippers that are designed to cut toenails.
Wear shoes that are large enough that they don't push your toes together.
Careful about how you cut your toenails and manage your foot health.
If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, soak your feet in warm water - this will help to soften the nail and the skin, making the problem nail easier to treat.
