How to Threat Ingrown Toenails At Home

Do you suffer from an ingrown toenail? Then you probably know how painful it can be when the side of your toenail grows into the soft skin. Though it usually occurs to the toenails, a fingernail can also become ingrown too.

Why does this happen? And what are some steps to take care of an ingrown toenail?

Too tight shoes can cause an ingrown toenail, long nails, a nail injury, or having unusually curved toenails.

Also, people with diabetes, or other health problems that stop the blood from flowing to the feet properly, are more prone to get ingrown toenails.

Some signs of an ingrown toenail are pain that doesn’t stop, redness, and swelling. If not handled right away, onychocryptosis, or an ingrown toenail, can lead to infection.

The infection can be seen as redness and swelling around the nail, and watery discharge which is with blood residue.

There are ways to treat an ingrown toenail at home. Still, if you already see signs of infection, go to a doctor, because the infection can spread and lead to even more significant problems.

Warm Water Soak

If you’re looking to lessen the pain, swelling, and tenderness brought on by an ingrown toenail, try soaking your foot in warm water a few times a day.

Fill a foot tub with warm water.
Soak your feet for 15- 20 minutes
Do this three to four times a day to help the pain.
Cotton Wedge Under the Nail

After you soak your foot in the warm water, try placing a cotton wedge under your nail to make sure it grows above the skin. This method will help the pain and let it heal quicker.

Soak your feet in warm water and dry them very well.
Lift the nail carefully with a pair of tweezers that is not too sharp.
Put a small rolled up piece of cotton between the nail and skin.
To stop the infection, use a new piece of cotton each time you soak your feet.
Note: you may feel some pain at the start, but it will get better immediately. Make sure not to push the cotton roll more than the swollen skin lets.

Epsom Salt

Another great cure for an ingrown toenail is Epsom salt or magnesium sulphate. It will help make the skin soft, so that it will be comfortable to bring out the ingrown toenail, and will reduce the swelling.

Fill a foot tub with warm water and mix one tablespoon of Epsom salt.
Soak your feet in the mixture for twenty minutes.
Take your feet out and dry them thoroughly.
Do this three to four times a week.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a useful cure for ingrown toenail because of its antibacterial properties. Also, because of the little amount of acid in the vinegar helps stop infection.

Here are two different ways to use apple cider vinegar to cure an ingrown toenail. Use either one until you feel they have worked.

In a small foot tub, mix 50-50 amount of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and warm water.
Soak your toenail in the mixture for 20- 30 minutes. After, dry your toenail very well.
Another way to do it is to soak only a cotton ball in raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and then put it on your toe.
Leave it covered with a bandage for a few hours before taking it off.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, and it lessens the risk of an ingrown toenail getting infected. It further helps alleviate the pain and swelling that come from an ingrown toenail.

Mix about ½ a cup of hydrogen peroxide in a small tub filled with warm water.
Let your foot soak in the mixture for around twenty minutes.
Do this one to two times a day.

Another thing to be careful of are your shoes. If the shoes are too tight, they can push the nail into the skin. It’s recommended to wear shoes made of softer fabrics with more room for your toes. Women should avoid wearing high heels and keep the pressure off the toes.