How to fix an ingrown toe nail

An ingrown toenail occurs when the side of the nail curls down and grows into the skin around the nail.

Any toe can be affected but it commonly occurs in the big toe.

An ingrown toenail can become painful and inflamed (tender, red and swollen).

Sometimes, it can become infected, which, if left untreated, can spread and infect the underlying bone.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

If you have an ingrown toenail, the area may be:

  • painful or tender
  • red
  • swollen
  • surrounded by hardened skin

If the area becomes infected, you may notice fluid or pus, and symptoms that get worse rather than better.

How to fix an ingrown toe nail
An ingrown toenail occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin around the nail. It can become painful and sometimes become infected.

What causes ingrown toenails?

You can get an ingrown toenail if you:

  • have tight fitting shoes, socks, or tights that crowd your toes, putting pressure on your toenails
  • cut your toenails too short or not straight across
  • injure your toe, for example by stubbing it
  • pick or tear the corners of your toenails
  • have sweaty feet, making your skin soft and easier for toenails to dig in
  • have toenails with naturally curved edges or that are fan-shaped

Ingrown toenails become more common in older people as the nails get thicker with age. They are more likely to become infected in people who have diabetes or circulation problems.

How are ingrown toenail treated?

If you have diabetes, nerve damage in your leg or foot, poor blood circulation to your foot or an infection around the nail, see your doctor or podiatrist (a trained therapist who diagnoses and treats foot conditions) immediately.

Otherwise, try this:

  • Soak your feet in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day.
  • Then use a cotton bud to gently push away the skin from the nail.
  • Repeat each day for a few weeks, allowing the nail to grow.
  • As the end of the nail grows forward, push a tiny piece of cotton wool or dental floss under it to help the nail grow over the skin and not grow into it. Change the cotton wool or dental floss each time you soak your foot.
  • Do not pick at the toenail or try to remove it yourself.

An infected toenail may be treated with antibiotics. Your doctor or podiatrist may need to drain the pus. In severe cases, part or all of nail may need to be removed.

Can ingrown toenails be prevented?

To help prevent an ingrown toenail:

  • wear shoes that fit properly
  • keep your feet clean and dry
  • trim your nails properly — briefly soak your foot in warm water before trimming, and make sure you cut straight across, without tapering or rounding the corners or cutting them too short

People with diabetes or persistent foot problems should see a podiatrist regularly for routine foot checks and nail care.

How to fix an ingrown toe nail

An ingrown toenail is annoying and often painful. Constant walking rubs the toes against socks and shoes, causing further irritation to the ingrown toenail.  If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected and cause even more discomfort.

Medically known as Onychocryptosis, an ingrown toenail can occur to anyone, at any age, although it seems to be slightly more common in males than in females. It’s one of the most common problems a person can experience with their toes.

If an ingrown toenail is causing you grievances, it’s time to learn the best way to remove it and be comfortable again.

Natural Ingrown Toenail Treatment Remedies

There are several natural remedies to treat an ingrown toenail.

Many people prefer to try these options before purchasing OTC medications or scheduling an appointment with the doctor.

If you’d like to try a natural, at-home ingrown toenail solution, the following are among the top solutions used:

Foot Wash

Soak the affected foot in warm, soapy water to keep bacteria at bay. Add Epsom salt to the water to soften the skin. Soak the foot three or four times daily.

Essential Oils

Rubbing essential oils on the ingrown toenail is an effective way to soften and soothe the skin, minimize the pain, and hopefully draw the toenail out of the skin.

Dental Floss

Use dental floss under an ingrown toenail to help shift the nail into the correct growth direction. Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows downward into the skin. Simply lift the edge of the nail containing the ingrown toenail and place the dental floss between it.

Castile Soap Wash

If you’re unable to soak your foot three or four times per day, use castile soap once per day instead. Use the soap with water to cleanse the nail bed using a soft washcloth.

Cutting an Ingrown Toenail

If you prefer to cut the ingrown toenail,  it is best that you have someone help you or schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Cutting the ingrown toenail incorrectly could make the issue worse and increase pain.

If you choose to remove the toenail yourself, follow these steps for accuracy:

  • Soak your foot in Epsom salt or Castile soap for 30 minutes to soften the toenail. This will reduce the pain and swelling after removal.
  • Wash your hands. It is imperative that your hands are clean before you start removing an ingrown toenail.
  • Push the skin back from the nail border. This can be painful! Do not try to force the skin back further than it will go.
  • Cut the toenail straight across, starting at the toenail edges. Do not cut the toenail from the middle.
  • Place a piece of cotton between the nail and the skin to prevent it from growing back into the skin. Slightly raise the edge of the problematic toenail to make the insertion.
  • Apply a medicated ingrown toenail ointment to the affected area. Numerous ingrown toenail ointments are sold at pharmacies and online.
  • Apply a bandage to the infected toenail. Do not touch the area. The toenail area will likely be painful and swollen.
  • Change the cotton in the toenail twice per day to keep it clean and free of bacteria and germs.

Treating Your Ingrown Toenail

Carefully follow the instructions above if there is an ingrown toenail causing you grief. In a matter of a few short weeks, the issue should be resolved!  If your ingrown toenail is advanced, removing it yourself may not be impossible. Instead, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor who may recommend a surgical treatment to remove the ingrown toenail.

There are a few surgical options, including the Matrixectomy, Wedge Resection, and the Vandenbos Procedure. The doctor will determine which option is most suitable for your ingrown toenail after evaluating the specific circumstances of your case.

How to fix an ingrown toe nail

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How to fix an ingrown toe nail

How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail

Is your toe tender and swollen? If the skin is red and the edge of your toenail is not visible, you could well have an ingrown toenail. As a common foot problem which causes a dull pain, ingrown nails can grow into much larger problems.