An ingrown toenail can be very painful.There are things you can do to stop the growth of your toenail.It's possible that you won't have to have surgery to remove the ingrown toenails.To make sure that your ingrown redness is not infectious, check for warmth, pain, and swelling.You should see a doctor if you notice any of the signs.
Step 1: If you have diabetes, you should check with your doctor.
If you have diabetes, it is important to keep your feet clean and check for ingrown toenails.Your doctor may be against you trying to treat an ingrown toenail yourself.Before you try any home treatments, call your doctor.
Step 2: Put your foot in a mixture of water and salt.
Don't use hot water because it will cause your ingrown toenail to swell.This should be done for at least 15 minutes a day.To prevent the ingrown nail from getting infections, the goal is twofold.
Step 3: Get ready with your tools.
Get a cotton round, cotton ball, or any unflavored or unwaxed dental floss ready, a pair of disinfected tweezers, and a toenail lifter.
Step 4: Your toe should be slightly raised.
To keep ingrown toenails from coming back, place a small piece of cotton or dental floss between your toenails and the skin.You can remove a small piece of cotton with the tweezers if you are using a cotton ball.Cut a piece of dental floss if you are using unflavored floss.Lift the corner of the ingrown toenail with the disinfected tweezers and gently work the cotton or dental floss under the nail.You can apply an antiseptic to the cotton or floss before sliding it under the nail.If the nail bed is swollen or red, do not put cotton or dental floss under it.To reduce the risk of infections, remove the cotton or dental floss daily, cleanse the area, and replace with new floss.
Step 5: Give your toe some air.
When you are at home, don't wear shoes or socks.
Step 6: Please check back.
If you keep the cotton or dental floss in place and treat your feet well, your ingrown toenail should grow back out within a few weeks.It's a good idea to replace the cotton every day.If the toenail hurts, replace the cotton on a daily basis.
Step 7: Ask your doctor about taping.
If your nails are still cutting into the skin, you may want to try taping.When you secure a band-aid to the bottom of your toe and pull the skin away from the location where a nail is cutting into the nailbed is called tapping.The band-aid can be used to move the skin away from the nail.If done correctly, this can promote drainage and drying.It can be difficult to master, so you might want to ask your healthcare provider to show you the proper way to do it.
Step 8: Your foot has been treated with a povidone-iodine solution.
Put a small amount of povidone-iodine into the water.The antiseptic povidone-iodine is effective.This won't cure an ingrown toenail, but it may help to prevent an infection.
Step 9: Lemon juice and honey should be applied to the toe.
Lemon juice and honey can be applied to the toe.Leave the bandage on the toe for the night.The lemon and honey have anti-bacterial properties.Lemon won't get rid of an ingrown toenail.
Step 10: The skin around the toenail should be softened with oils.
If you have to wear shoes on your toenails, applying oils to them can help reduce the pressure on the skin.Tea tree oil is an antiseptic and an antifungal agent that smells great.The baby oil doesn't have the antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil, but it works great for soft skin.
Step 11: To trim toenails straight across, keep them at a moderate length.
The rounded nails have a higher chance of growing into the skin around the toes.Cut toenails with nail scissors or toenail clippers.Small nail clippers leave sharp edges near the corner of the toe.Cut your toenails once every few weeks.Unless your toenails grow quickly, cutting them won't give you a chance to grow ingrown toenails.
Step 12: If you have an ingrown toenail, don't get pedicures.
pedicures can cause irritation to the skin underneath the nail and pedicure instruments can be less sanitary.
Step 13: It's important to make sure your shoes are the right size.
The ingrown toenails can be caused by shoes that are too small.Bigger shoes are better than smaller ones.If you have pressure on your toe, try to wear open-toed shoes.If your toe is covered, use bandages or wear sandals.It is better than having surgery.
Step 14: If you get ingrown toenails, be on the lookout.
If you get an ingrown toenail and don't care for it, you are likely to get it again.There are steps you can take to prevent that from happening.
Step 15: Twice a day you should apply antibiotic cream to your feet.
When you get out of the shower in the morning, apply antibiotic cream to the ingrown toenail.The risk of infections can be reduced with antibiotic cream.
Step 16: Put your feet in warm soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes.
You should rinse your feet after soaking them.Next, wash them with a clean towel.You can also use a bandaid to protect the ingrown toenails.