This guide outlines how to fix an ingrown toenail with a step-by-step process.
Are you tired of dealing with the discomfort and pain of an ingrown toenail? Look no further! In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of fixing an ingrown toenail at home safely and effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or someone who prefers natural remedies, this comprehensive guide has got you covered.
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of your nail grows into the skin, causing pain, swelling, and redness. It commonly affects the big toe, but can also occur in other toes. The condition can range from mild to severe, with some cases leading to infection if not treated promptly.
Causes of ingrown toenails
Ingrown toenails can be caused by a variety of factors. One common cause is improper nail trimming, where cutting the nail too short or rounding the corners can cause the nail to grow into the skin. Other causes include wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, trauma to the toe, and genetic predisposition. Understanding the underlying cause of your ingrown toenail can help prevent future occurrences.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail
Identifying the symptoms of an ingrown toenail early on is crucial for effective treatment. Common symptoms include pain and tenderness along the nail border, swelling, redness, and in some cases, pus or drainage. You may also experience difficulty walking or wearing shoes comfortably. If left untreated, the symptoms can worsen and lead to complications.
Risks and complications of untreated ingrown toenails
Ignoring an ingrown toenail can result in several complications. The constant pressure and friction from the nail digging into the skin can lead to an infection. Symptoms of an infected ingrown toenail include increased pain, redness, warmth, and swelling. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the underlying bone or soft tissue, requiring medical intervention. It’s essential to address an ingrown toenail promptly to prevent these complications.
We understand that an ingrown toenail can be a major inconvenience, causing discomfort and limiting your mobility. That’s why we have compiled the best and most practical tips, tricks, and techniques to help you alleviate the pain and restore your foot’s health.
From identifying the early signs to implementing simple yet effective home remedies, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to tackle that ingrown toenail head-on. So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets to resolving this pesky problem from the comfort of your own home!
The slightly ingrown nail can be treated at home, trying to lift the corner of the nail and inserting a piece of cotton or gauze, so that the nail stops growing into the inside of the finger and ends up uningrowncing naturally.
However, sometimes these measures for how to fix an ingrown toenail at home may not be enough, usually when the area around the nail is very red, swollen or with pus, which may indicate that there is an infection at the site.
In this case, it is important to consult a health professional, usually a dermatologist, who may indicate the application of an ointment containing antibiotics or even indicate surgery to relieve the symptoms.
How to fix an ingrown toenail: step by step
To treat the ingrown toenail, you should follow the step-by-step:
1. Soak your foot or hand in warm water
First step in how to fix a ingrown toenail is that you should let your foot or hand soak in warm or hot water for 10 to 20 minutes to make the nail more malleable and relieve the pain.
2. Try to keep the ingrown nail part elevated
When the nail is more malleable, you should lift the corner that is ingrown with tweezers and place a piece of cotton or gauze between the nail and the skin, to keep it elevated. This allows the nail to grow out of the skin and also allows it to be properly cut.
3. Properly clean the place
Finally, some antiseptic solution should be used on the site, such as povidone iodine, for example, to prevent the region from infecting.
How to fix an ingrown toenail: What not to do
In case of ingrown toenail, you should not cut the part of the ingrown toenail, cut the nail in a “v”, or put on a tight bandage. These measures only worsen the ingrown toenail and increase the risk of ingrown toenail again.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to seek a dermatologist in case of:
- Diabetes;
- Peripheral arterial disease;
- Blood clotting problems;
- Persistence of ingrown toenail;
- Presence of swelling, redness and/or pus;
- Difficulty walking due to ingrown toenail.
- In addition, if the nail clogs very often or persists clog for a long time despite treatment, it is also important to evaluate by a dermatologist, since surgery may be necessary.
How to fix an ingrown toenail that is infected
Treatment of ingrown toenail with pus usually involves surgery and ointments containing antibiotics. Therefore, when the finger with an ingrown toenail presents pus in addition to pain, redness and swelling, it is important to evaluate by a dermatologist.
When surgery is indicated
Ingrown nail surgery is usually indicated in case of infection with pus, recurrence of the ingrown toenail and when treatment with nail elevation or cutting is not enough to solve the problem.
In this case the surgery is done with local anesthesia and, in most cases, it is not necessary to remove the entire nail. In some cases, the doctor may still choose to apply an acid, such as silver nitrate, which destroys part of the nail that was ingrown, for example.
How to prevent nails from getting ingrown
Some measures that prevent ingrown nails are:
- Avoid cutting very rounded or short nails;
- Choose looser shoes;
- Change socks daily;
- Perform foot hygiene properly.
In addition, it is important to properly treat any type of nail disease, such as mycoses, for example.
Photo by Marina Akimova
