Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

Ingrown toenails can be painful and uncomfortable, but there are things you can do to stop the nail from poking the skin. These remedies may even save you from having to remove an ingrown toenail! Make sure your toenails are free of infection by checking for hot, pus, redness, and swelling. If you notice any signs of infection, see your doctor.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Insert cotton under the nail

1. 

   See your doctor first to see if you have diabetes. If you have diabetes, it's important to keep your feet clean and check for problems, such as ingrown toenails. However, your doctor may advise you not to handle an ingrown toenail yourself at home for safety reasons. Call your doctor for advice before trying home treatment.

2. 

   
   
   Soak your feet in cool to warm Epsom salt water. Hot water will cause the area around the nail to swell, so don't use hot water. Soak your feet for 15-30 minutes, at least twice a day. There are two benefits to this therapy: it softens the toenails and prevents them from becoming infected.

3. 

   
   
   Gather your tools and get ready. Take a non-waxed, unscented cotton ball or floss, a pair of sterile tweezers, and a nail lift.

4. 

   Raise your toenails slightly. You can keep an ingrown nail from coming back by using a sterile tool to place a waxy pad or floss between the nail and skin.
   • If using a cotton ball, use tweezers to remove a small piece of cotton. If you floss, cut a section of thread 15 cm long.
   • Use sterile tweezers to lift one corner of the nail and gently place a cotton pad or floss under the nail. If you want, you can dab a small amount of an antiseptic ointment like Neosporin on a cotton pad or floss before inserting it under the nail.
   • Don't try to insert cotton or floss underneath the nail if the nail bed looks swollen or red.
   • Remove cotton or floss, clean nails and change cotton every day to reduce the risk of infection.

5. 

   
   
   Let the toenails breathe! Don't wear socks or shoes at home.

6. 

   Review. If you continue to insert cotton or floss and take good care of the foot, the ingrown nail will grow out as usual within a few weeks.
   • Change the cotton ball daily to keep your toe from getting infected. If your toe hurts, you can change the cotton every other day and check it daily for signs of infection.

7. 

   Ask your doctor about tape therapy. If the nail is still puncturing the skin, you might want to consider trying tape therapy. This is a method of applying a band-aid to stick the underside of the toe and pull the skin away from where the nail is poked into the nail bed. The goal here is to pull the skin out of the pain with the aid of a bandage. This can reduce pressure in the ingrown area, and if done right, it can increase drainage and speed dryness. However, you should ask your healthcare professional for instructions on how to do it right, as this can be difficult to perform. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Try unproven home remedies

1. 

   Soak your feet in cool water mixed with a solution of povidone-iodine. Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of povidone-iodine in cool water soak your feet in place of Epsom salt. Povidone-iodine is an effective antiseptic.
   • Remember that this treatment will not cure an ingrown toenail, but it can prevent infection.

2. 

   Apply lemon juice and honey, then bandage your toes overnight. Apply a little bit of lemon juice and Manuka honey or regular honey to your toes, then wrap the gauze bandage around the toe and cover it overnight. Honey and lemon can help fight infections.
   • Lemons have an antibacterial effect, but they won't cure a bent toenail.

3. 

   Use oil to soften the skin around the toenails. When applied to the toe, the oil can help moisturize and soften the skin, reducing the pressure on the toe if you have to wear shoes. Try these oils for quick pain relief:
   • Tea tree oil: This essential oil has both antibacterial and antifungal properties, and it also has a great aroma.
   • Baby Oil: This is a mineral oil that is also very fragrant, although it does not have the antibacterial effects of tea tree oil, but it is also very effective in softening the skin.
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Method 3 of 3: Prevent ingrown toenails

1. 

   Keep the toenails moderately long and cut across. Toenails cut round in corners are more likely to puncture the skin and cause problems.
   • Use a nail clipper or nail clipper to trim your toenails. Conventional nail clippers have a small tip that leaves sharp edges near the corner of the toenail.
   • It is best to trim your toenails every two to three weeks. Unless your toenail grows really fast, cutting your toenails regularly will make it harder for your nails to get in and out.

2. 

   Avoid getting a manicure while ingrown nails are still a problem. The nail polish process can irritate the skin underneath the nail; Failure to clean the nail tools may lead to infection or worsen infection.

3. 

   Wear the right foot size shoes. Shoes that are too small and tight to the toe can cause an ingrown toenail. Choose larger, wider shoes instead of small, tight shoes.
   • Try to wear open-toed shoes so that your toes are not under pressure. Because you have to cover the toes, you should bandage or wear socks with sandals. Although it doesn't look out of fashion, it's better than surgery.

4. 

   Pay attention if you frequently have ingrown nails. If you have an ingrown toenail without proper care, chances are it will grow again. However, you can take steps to prevent this from happening.

5. 

   Apply an antibiotic cream 2 times a day. Apply an antibiotic cream to your toenails and surrounding skin, once after bathing in the morning and once before bed. Antibiotic creams will help reduce the risk of infection, which can lead to more complications and pain.

6. 

   Soak your feet in cool to warm soapy water for 15-30 minutes. Wash your feet thoroughly after soaking to remove the soap, then dry thoroughly with a clean towel. You can also apply some Neosporin cream and cover the toe to protect the ingrown toe. advertisement

Advice

• Try not to paint your toenails while the nail is ingrown. The chemicals in the paint can irritate the skin around the toenail. Also, you won't notice any signs of infection because nail polish hides your nail color when it becomes red or discolored.
• Consider getting rid of your fingernail instead of waiting and watching if the pain intensifies. If the therapies you have tried are not working, consult your doctor; You may need help cutting or removing the nail from a doctor and taking antibiotics if the toenail becomes infected.

Warning

• If the toenail becomes very swollen or has pus around it, it may be infected. See your doctor for an antibiotic prescribing and before inserting cotton or floss under the nail. Note that the antibiotic will only reduce the infection but not the normal toenail growth, so cotton insertion should be done in conjunction with antibiotics if your doctor approves this method.
• Toenails are susceptible to infection when ingrown, so try to cover and clean them to avoid serious complications.
• If the cotton inserts and antibiotics don't help, see your doctor, as you may need toenail removal surgery.

What you need

• Cool or warm soapy water soak your feet
• Epsom salt
• Povidone Iodine solution
• Cotton ball
• Tweezers or pedicure tools
• Antibiotic ointment
• Dressings