Ingrown Toenails: 6 Home Remedies That Are Surprisingly Effective

Apr 19, 2018

If you have ever had an ingrown toenail, then you know how displeasing it is and that it is not something to be taken lightly. While the thought of a little ailment of a toenail may sound like a minor thing, an ingrown toenail can be extremely painful and can even make walking nearly impossible, which gets worse if you ignore the problem.

Toenails can naturally be kind of gross and may turn yellow, crack, or get lumpy and thick. This often depends on the exposure we have to bacteria or fungus and what season it is. Then, there are always the in-home attempts at a treatment that can often lead to tears. It brings me back to the time my father decided to "treat" my ingrown toenail with a pocket knife.

Luckily, there are ways to handle an ingrown toenail that are sanitary and less painful!

 

Ingrown Toenail? What Is That?

An ingrown toenail is a condition that is commonly seen and just about everyone is aware of.

The Mayo Clinic has stated that this annoying and painful problem happens when "the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. The result is pain, redness, swelling and, sometimes, an infection."

Your big toe is most likely to end up with an ingrown toenail because of how thick and strong it is compared to other nails, and is often the victim when toes are overcrowded in your shoes.
 

Even if you do not have an ingrown toenail, soaking your feet is something you may want to consider doing.

With that being said, it is the first thing you should do in order to treat your condition.

The Epsom Salt Council has specified that this powder is useful in reducing swelling, soothing muscle pains, and softening skin. Soaking in warm water with Epsom salt will help to reduce the swelling and pain of an ingrown toenail.

In mild cases of an ingrown toenail, an Epsom salt soak can take care of it. In other cases, the soak will help to soften the skin in order to prepare it for further home treatments.
 

An ingrown toenail happens when the nail grows too close to the skin, so it only makes sense to try and separate the toenail and the skin. The Mayo Clinic has described treatments where doctors will gently put a small cotton ball under the nail by gently lifting it. This will help to give the nail room to grow away from the skin.

If this is a treatment that you do at home, ensure that you soak the cotton ball in an antiseptic and change every day. You may want to consider soaking in Epsom salt in between changing cotton balls in order to help reduce pain and continue to soften the skin.
 

Using dental floss is similar to treatment using cotton balls. Sliding dental floss underneath your nail can help to give the nail room to grow away from the skin.

If you decide to use this method, use a floss that is unflavored. Any type of mint or cinnamon could sting an area that is already sensitive.
 

If you do not want to take the risk of digging around in an area that is already sensitive, you're not the only one. This method is said to be an old wives' tale, but it is worth giving it a shot before trying treatments that are more invasive.

Notching a "V" in the center of the nail can help to take pressure off of the sides of the nail and will allow the nail to grow away from the skin. I can tell you from my own experience that notching the nail does help to relieve some pressure.
 

A nail that is incredibly thick could be the cause of your ingrown toenail.

Toenails that are thick and difficult to cut can cause ingrown toenails by penetrating the skin on the side more easily. Applying a substance such as tea tree oil can help fight away infection and fungus. Reducing or eliminating fungus can help make nails softer, making them easier to cut along with reducing the risk of getting an infection.
 

One of the biggest reasons that ingrown toenails cause so much pain is because of an infection. Once the skin has been broken open, the risk of bacteria getting into the skin and causing an infection is higher.

When the skin becomes irritated because of a toenail, the area should be bandaged in order to protect and cushion it. This can also help to fix the issue. A taping method can be used to help correct the curve of an ingrown toenail by pulling the skin near the toenail away from it and keeping it away.
 

The best way to take care of an ingrown toenail is to prevent it from happening.

This may be a little easier said than it is to do because heredity is a cause of ingrown toenails, but the American Podiatric Medical Association explains that there are some things that can be done in order to try and prevent them.

Wear shoes that give your toes plenty of room so they are not crowded and try to avoid activities that could include injury to the toes or feet.

An additional method to prevent ingrown toenails is to keep your feet as dry and clean as you are able and to trim your toenails on regular basis straight across.

Did you find this article helpful? If so, please show it to your friends and family so they can learn how to treat their ingrown toenails! 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!