Ingrown Toenail

Pain, inflammation, and infection of the toe, could be an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails are caused by wearing shoes that are too short, cutting the corners of your toenails too short or even heredity. The toenail begins to curl inward, growing downward, into the actual skin and flesh of the toe. It can be painful, make wearing shoes uncomfortable, and activities like walking or sports, almost impossible. It can even cause an infection, especially in diabetics, and infections often require antibiotics to heal. If you are a diabetic, do not try to treat your ingrown toenail yourself. Diabetics are much more likely to have serious infections in their feet, and a medical professional should always be consulted when diabetics have ingrown toenails or other foot problems.

Home Remedies For Ingrown Toenail:

Soaking:

You will probably need an extra set of hands to help with this, but soak your foot in warm water for at least an hour, to soften the ingrown toenail. Take a small piece of cotton and saturate it with antiseptic (antibiotic cream, tea tree oil, alcohol, etc.) Dry your feet carefully, then use a nail file or cuticle stick to easily raise the corner of the ingrown toenail. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into the cavity where the toenail rested. Let it bubble then again dry carefully. With Tweezers, gently pack the cotton into the opening, then let go of the toenail. Repeat this treatment several times a day, until the toenail has begun to grow straight again.

Soaking your foot in warm Epsom’s salts water several times a day will ease inflammation associated with ingrown toenails.

Strips:

There are products (much like the strips you put on your nose to open it more, to prevent snoring) Made of very stiff material with very strong adhesives that can be stuck to the nail, and actually raises the nail out of the area of irritated skin into which it has been growing. These are very effective in controlling the pain, and in raising the toenail up, so that it can be cleaned out with an antiseptic, and antibiotic cream can be applied. They also help the ingrown toenail to grow straighter instead of curving inward. These strips can even be painted over with nail polish so that they don’t show.

Shoes:

Wear shoes that fit properly, and allow the toes plenty of room. Wearing ill-fitting shoes, or shoes with pointed toes, are practically inviting ingrown toenails. Choose instead, open toed shoes, shoes with a big enough “box” for your toes, socks and stockings that fit well and do not put undue pressure on the end of the toenail.