Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are toenails curving over and digging into the skin of your toe. Ingrown toenails are painful and they can be tricky to treat because they can easily become infected and are often a recurring problem.

Ingrown Toenail

Infected Ingrown Toenail

You need to visit a podiatrist if the ingrown toenail has become infected.  It is just a small surgical procedure to permanently remove the ingrown corner of the nail.  However, do not attempt to treat it yourself.  People with diabetes should carefully examine their feet regularly.

Prevention is always the best method for controlling the pain of ingrown toenails.  Few of the easiest methods are to avoid wearing footwear that squeezed the toes, always cut your toenails in a straight line across and not too short. 

If the ingrown toenail is not infected, you can try some at-home remedies to keep the pain at bay.  Here are some ideas:

1.    Try a foot soak.  Allow your sore toe to soak in a warm salt water bath for 15 minutes a couple of times every day. This soak can help relieve pain and swelling in an ingrown toenail. Dry  your foot completely after each soak. 

2.    Keep your foot dry except when soaking. 

3.    Take an over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. 

4.    Gently pull the skin away from the nail using a small nail file or other blunt device that won't cut or hurt the toe. 

5.    Stuff tiny pieces of clean cotton.  Soak the cotton with antiseptic cleanser and stuff between the ingrown toenail and the skin.  It can help to separate them and provide a little cushioning to the skin.

6.    Rub your toe with antibiotic ointment to help reduce your chance of developing an infection. 

7.    Cover the sore toe with a Band-Aid or other bandage to offer a little extra padding and protection. 

8.    Choose shoes that are easy on your toes.  Avoid shoes that pinch the toes or place pressure on the ingrown toenail.  Shoes with soft material and a wide toe are a good choice, try wearing sandals if you can.

9.    Inspect your toe carefully for signs of infection. Check every day for signs and symptoms like redness, increased pain, swelling, and drainage of pus. 

10.    See a podiatrist if you see signs of infection, or if your ingrown toenail keeps coming back.