If you have an ingrown toenail, known medically as eonychocryptosis, chances are it won’t let you forget it’s there. That’s because ingrown toenails may be tender and painful. They may also cause swelling and redness. An ingrown toenail occurs when part of the nail penetrates the skin, which can often result in an infection, according to EPodiatry.com. Home remedies can often successfully treat this.
Soaking
You may get some relief from the discomfort of an ingrown toenail by soaking your affected foot. The Mayo Clinic suggests submerging your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in warm water three times per day. This may help diminish swelling and reduce tenderness. You also may gently massage the inflamed area. When not soaking your toe, keep it dry, advises the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Cotton
Following each foot soaking, place small sections of a cotton ball or dental floss under the edge of the ingrown toe nail, which most often occurs on the big toe, according to the Mayo Clinic. Wet the cotton or floss with an antiseptic or water before placing it under the nail. The NIH says this will encourage the nail to ultimately grow above the edge of the skin.
Ointment and Bandage
Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and cover the tender area of your ingrown toenail with a bandage. If your toe is very infected, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic. Ingrown toenail complications can be potentially severe in certain people, such as those with diabetes, because the circulation and nerve supply to the feet may be compromised, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Pain Reliever
Non-prescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may temporarily quell the discomfort of an ingrown toenail, according to the Mayo Clinic. Consult your doctor if pain becomes severe.
Open Footwear
Consider wearing sandals or open-toed shoes until your ingrown toenail heals. Contact your doctor if home remedies aren’t working and your ingrown nail appears to be getting worse. In some stubborn cases, such as when an ingrown nail refuses to heal or keeps returning, your doctor may remove part of the nail, according to the Mayo Clinic. Before this procedure, your doctor will most likely numb your toe with an anesthetic.
