How to Treat an Ingrown Toe Nail?

If you are struggling with an ingrown toe nail, you might be looking for treatment options. Before jumping directly to the ingrown fingernail treatment, you must know the symptoms and causes of it. In this blog post, you will come to know about the causes, symptoms, and potential treatment options. Let’s get started:

Table of content

What is an ingrown toenail?

What are the causes of an ingrown, swollen toe nail?

What are the symptoms of an ingrown, swollen big toe?

Ingrown toenail: How to get rid of throbbing toenail pain at home?

How to cut ingrown toenail at home?

Final thoughts

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner of the toenail grows down into the skin. While it usually affects your big toe, it can also affect any of your toes. This condition occurs when toenails are cut by rounding the corners of the nails. If the toenail curves with the toe shape, it can grow into your skin. Ingrown toenails are common and don’t cause any health risk to healthy people.

What are the causes of an ingrown, swollen toe nail?

An ingrown, sore toenail can be caused by the following reasons:

Cutting toenails incorrectly: When you cut your toenail either too short or rounded, the nail may grow into the skin.
Improperly fitting shoes.
Tearing the nail corner.
Toe trauma, such as getting stepped on or banging your toe.
The shape of your toe: For example, if your nail is larger than your toe, or the surrounding tissue of the nail border naturally grows around your nail.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown, swollen big toe?

If it is the starting phase, you may experience your ingrown toenail as hard and swollen. If the nail grows into your skin, or the skin grows over the edge of the nail, then bacteria can enter. If left untreated, the nail may become infected. Infected ingrown toenail symptoms may include:

Pain
Pus or liquid coming out of your toe.
Darkening or redness of the area.
Swelling.
The toenail hurts when pressed

Ingrown toenail: How to get rid of throbbing toenail pain at home?

If you are struggling with an ingrown fingernail or toenail, you can try this home treatment:

In warm water, soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day.
Use a cotton bud to push away the skin from the corner of the nail. Avoid forcefully pushing the skin away, as it can worsen the condition.
Repeat this process for a few weeks and let the toenail grow.
After some time, the end of the nail will grow forward. At this stage, you can try pushing a tiny piece of cotton wool under the toenail at the edges. As this will help the nail grow over the skin, not under the skin. Each time you soak your foot, change the cotton wool.
Don’t try to remove it yourself.

An infected, ingrown nail finger needs to be treated with antibiotics. GP Glenroy or an ingrown toenail podiatrist may need to drain the pus. In severe cases, ingrown toenail removal may be required.

How to cut ingrown toenail at home?

Before you cut an ingrown toenail at home, you must first check the severity of the problem. If the area is swollen, infected, bleeding, or producing pus, then don’t do anything and seek help from a healthcare professional. However, for mild cases, you can do the following things:

Soak your foot in warm water for 15-20 minutes, as this can soften both the nail and the surrounding skin.
Use clean and sterilised instruments.
Use a clean cuticle stick to lift the edge of the ingrown nail. Avoid forcing it. If it’s too painful, seek professional care.
If it’s not painful, cut the nail straight, never round the corners.
Don’t cut your nails too short or dig into the sides.
Apply an antiseptic to the area.
Use a clean bandage to protect it from dirt and friction.

Final thoughts

An ingrown toenail is painful but can be treated. Although some home treatment can be beneficial for mild cases, if you have a severe condition, it’s advisable to seek medical care as soon as possible.

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