How To Tell if You Have an Ingrown Toenail

One of the most painful conditions caused by a small part of your body is ingrown toenails.Ingrown toenails occur when one edge of your toenail grows and curves into the soft skin around your toe, resulting in pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes an infection.There is a chance that you have an ingrown toe on the soft skin of the inner corner of your nail.

Step 1: There is a difference between an ingrown toe and foot fungus.

Onychocryptosis is caused by stubbing your toe, wearing socks or shoes that are too tight, and cutting your toenails wrong.Ingrown toenails can be caused by a toenail fungus called onychomycosis, which can cause your toenails to grow and become ingrown.If you have athlete's foot (tinea pedis), it can cause your toenails to look discolored and become disfiguring.Your toenails may be spotted with white pits, there is yellow debris under your toenails, or you may have a strange shaped toenails.Eczema is a foot condition that can cause nail disfigurement.Your nail may start to peel or split if you have this skin disorder.It is possible for your doctor to run a test to determine if you have a skin disorder.If you dropped something heavy on the nail, it may be the cause of your toenail turning black.Melanoma or skin cancer can be the cause.You should see your doctor if your toenails turn black without any trauma.

Step 2: Look at your toe.

If the skin of your toe is reddened with some swelling, it's time to seek medical attention.It's possible that you see a drainage of a fluid, which may be an early sign of an illness or inflammation.

Step 3: Take a look at your toe and see if it hurts.

There may be swelling and redness around your toe, as well as pain and tenderness.The skin around the corner of your toe may be harder than the skin on your other toes.The corner of your toe may curve into the skin.If there is a discharge from your nail, it could be a problem.

Step 4: Look for signs of an illness.

If you try to treat an ingrown toenail at home it will cause the toenail to become infections.If you notice that the toenail feels very tender and swollen, it's probably a case of ingrown toenails.

Step 5: If the toenail becomes infections, get medical attention.

You should see your doctor if you suspect that you have diabetes or a condition in which the circulation in your feet is limited.A piece of cotton may be inserted to help the nail grow over the skin.If your doctor tells you to soak the toe and replace the cotton every day, the nail will stay clean and grow properly.If you are under local anesthesia, you may be able to remove part of the nail.If you have recurring ingrown toenails, you may need to have an entire section of the nail removed.

Step 6: Put your foot in the warm water.

It can help to prevent ingrown toenails.Put tea tree oil on the nail.Let the tea tree soak in and then apply a coat of VapoRub or Mentholatum on the ingrown toenail.The pain will be lessened with the help of the menthol and the camphor.If you want to keep the camphor and menthol on the toe, apply a bandage.

Step 7: Lift the ingrown using a small piece of cotton.

After soaking your toe for 20 minutes, take out a small piece of cotton.If you have an ingrown toenail, you can tape one end of the cotton tube to the top of your toe with one finger.To remove the cotton tube from under the nail, use your other finger.The cotton should be between the skin and the nail.This process can be painful.Someone else might be able to help you slide the cotton tube under the nail.

Step 8: After soaking your foot, you should replace the cotton every day.

Tea tree oil should be applied to your toenails to keep them soft and to prevent infections.Tea tree oil can be put on the cotton tube.These tools can break or damage the skin, so don't use them.This can cause an illness.Keep your feet clean by wearing white cotton socks.There are colored dyes on socks that can get into your nail.

Step 9: There are shoes that are open-toed.

It's a good idea to go for shoes with no heels.If you work in a place where your toes could be injured, wear protective shoes.

Step 10: Cut your toenails in half.

If you want to avoid ingrown toenails, don't cut your toenails to follow the line of your toes.Don't cut them too short or leave them long.

Step 11: You should wash your feet two to three times a week.

For 10 to 15 minutes, do this in warm water.It will help to make your toenails more flexible.It will make it easier to lift the edge of your toenails over the skin so they don't grow into your skin and become ingrown.If you want to add some salts to your foot bath, you can find Domeboro Astringent solution at more drugstores.