Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Use a cotton swab or dental floss
• Method 2 of 3: Unverified home remedies
• Method 3 of 3: How to avoid an ingrown toenail
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

An ingrown toenail can cause pain and discomfort. However, there are ways that can stop the ingrowth of the nail plate (onychocryptosis) into the lateral edge of the nail fold. Thanks to these methods, surgical intervention can be avoided. Make sure there is no infection on the nail roller. If your toe is red, festering, or swollen, see your doctor.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Use a cotton swab or dental floss

1. 1 If you have diabetes, see your doctor. In diabetes, it is important to keep your feet clean and healthy.If you are experiencing an ingrown toenail problem, discuss possible treatments with your doctor. There is a chance that your doctor will advise you not to take any independent measures. Contact your doctor and ask appropriate questions.
2. 2 Steam your feet in warm water and Epsom Salt. You do not need to use hot water, otherwise the nail roller will swell. Steam your legs for 15-30 minutes, at least twice a day. This will accomplish two goals: soften your nails and avoid infection.
3. 3 Get everything you need ready. Prepare a cotton pad or cotton ball, unwaxed and unwaxed dental floss, and a nail lifting tool (if you don't have one, you can use scissors or tweezers).
4. 4 Raise your nail slightly. Using a sterile instrument, slightly lift the ingrown nail and place a small piece of cotton swab or dental floss in the space between the nail plate and the nail roller. This will prevent the nail from digging into the skin.
   • If you are using a cotton swab, cut a small piece from it; if you floss, you need 15 cm of floss.
   • Lift the corner of the ingrown toenail with sterile tweezers and gently floss or floss. You can apply an antiseptic ointment, such as Neosporin, to the cotton swab or thread before inserting it.
   • If the nail bed is red or swollen, do not floss or swab.
   • Change your tampon or thread daily. Before doing this, be sure to clean the affected area so as not to carry an infection.
5. 5 Let the nail breathe. When at home, do not wear socks or shoes.
6. 6 Monitor the condition of the nail. If you monitor the cleanliness of the affected area and regularly change the cotton swab or thread, the situation will return to normal in a couple of weeks.
   • Change your tampon every day to avoid infection. If your toenail hurts, change the tampon every two days, but watch for signs of infection regularly.
7. 7 Ask your doctor about the band-aid method. If the nail is still cutting into the skin, you can try the tape method. Attach the adhesive plaster to the bottom of your finger and pull back the skin where the nail cuts into the nail bed. The essence of the method is to pull the skin away from the sore spot using an adhesive plaster. This will relieve the pressure on the affected area. Among other things, if done correctly, this method will ensure the release of fluid and dryness of the ingrown toenail area. However, we recommend that you see your doctor so that he can show you how to properly attach the adhesive plaster.

Method 2 of 3: Unverified home remedies

1. 1 Soak your feet in warm water with Povidone iodine. Instead of Epsom salt, add one to two teaspoons of Povidone Iodine to warm water. Povidone iodine is an effective antiseptic.
   • Note that Povidone Iodine will not heal an ingrown toenail, but it will help prevent infection.
2. 2 Place a slice of lemon with honey on your finger, bandage and leave overnight. Manuka honey can be used instead of regular honey if you can find it. Lemon acid and honey will help fight infection.
   • Lemon has antimicrobial effect, but it will not get rid of an ingrown toenail.
3. 3 Use oils to soften the skin around the nail. The oil rubbed around your nails will help moisturize and soften the skin, relieving pressure on the nail when you wear shoes. Try the following oils for quick results:
   • Tea tree oil: This is the essential oil that is both antibacterial and anti-fungal and smells great too.
   • Butter for newborns: Another great smelling mineral oil, it does not have antibacterial properties, but it moisturizes the skin perfectly.

Method 3 of 3: How to avoid an ingrown toenail

1. 1 Keep track of the length of your toenails and trim them in a straight line. Rounding off the nails increases the likelihood that the nail plate will grow into the lateral edge of the nail fold.
   • Use nail clippers or scissors.Regular nail clippers are small enough to leave sharp edges around the edges of the nails.
   • Ideally, try to trim your nails every 2-3 weeks. If your nails are not growing very quickly, this will be enough to avoid an ingrown toenail.
2. 2 Avoid pedicure while you are still concerned about the ingrown toenail. A pedicure can irritate the skin under your nail; pedicure tools may not be so clean, which can cause or worsen infection.
3. 3 Wear shoes that fit. Shoes that are too small for you or that put pressure on your nails can cause ingrown nails. Choose shoes that are roomier, larger than smaller, and more comfortable.
   • Try to wear open-toed shoes to avoid pressure on your nail. Since your sore toe must be covered, bandage it or wear socks with sandals. Although not fashionable, it is still better than any operation.
4. 4 Check your nails constantly. If you have had an ingrown toenail at least once and you poorly monitor the condition of the nails, then everything can happen again. However, this can be avoided.
5. 5 Apply antibacterial ointment twice a day. After showering in the morning and before bed, apply this ointment to the ingrown toenail and surrounding areas. An antibacterial ointment will reduce the risk of infection, which can lead to complications and increase pain.
6. 6 Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 15-30 minutes. Then rinse them thoroughly. Dry your feet with a towel. Apply Neosporin to the affected area and bandage your finger to avoid infection.

Tips

• Do not apply nail polish until you have removed the ingrown toenail. The chemicals in varnishes can make infections worse.
• An ingrown toenail needs to be treated. It does not go away by itself.

Warnings

• An ingrown toenail is vulnerable to infection. Keep the affected area clean and bandaged to avoid complications.
• If the affected area is swollen or oozing pus, the ingrown toenail is most likely the cause of the infection. See your doctor for proper treatment. Antibacterial ointments fight infection, but not an ingrown toenail. Talk to your doctor, perhaps, in your case, you can apply the ointment and lift the nail with cotton swabs or dental floss.
• If antibacterial ointment and the cotton swab / floss method don't work, see your doctor. You may need surgery.

What do you need

• A basin of warm water
• Epsom salt
• Povidone iodine
• Cotton swab or dental floss
• Nail lifting tool
• Antibacterial ointment
• Bandage or gauze