Sophia Delgado
Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem that can happen to anyone, but they are usually not a serious health risk. Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail grows into the skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes infection. While ingrown toenails can often be treated at home, in some cases, a healthcare professional may need to remove part or all of the toenail to treat the condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is an ingrown nail | A foot condition that develops when the corner of your toenail grows into your skin |
| Which toe does it affect | Usually the big toe, but it can affect any toe |
| Who is at risk | Adolescents, athletes, people with nerve damage, poor blood circulation, nail infection, diabetes, or weakened immune system |
| Home remedies | Soak in warm water, use OTC medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, apply numbing cream or spray, gently massage the foot, apply antibacterial cream |
| What to avoid | Cutting toenails too short, rounding or pointing the edges, wearing tight or pointed shoes |
| When to see a doctor | If the nail is very painful, the condition is worsening, or there are signs of infection |
| Medical treatments | Lifting the nail, taping the nail, partial or complete nail avulsion, Zadek's procedure, wedge excision, nail-bed ablation |
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What You'll Learn
Soak the affected area in warm water
Soaking the affected area in warm water is a recommended home remedy for ingrown toenails. This condition happens when the corner of your toenail grows into your skin, usually affecting the big toe. Soaking your feet in warm water can help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
To do this effectively, prepare a mixture of warm water and Epsom salt, and soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat this process 3 to 4 times a day until the toe improves. You can also add some soap to the water to create a soapy, sudsy mixture. After soaking, dry your foot and apply an antibacterial or petroleum jelly to reduce the risk of infection and keep the area moisturised.
Soaking the affected area helps to manage any infection and prevent further pain. It is important to keep your foot dry between soaks and to gently massage the foot and toenail to improve blood flow and speed up the healing process.
If home remedies do not help, a healthcare professional may recommend lifting the nail to place cotton or dental floss underneath, or they may prescribe a corticosteroid cream to apply after soaking.
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Use cotton or dental floss
Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem that usually affects the big toe. They can be treated at home, but if the infection persists, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
To treat an ingrown toenail at home, you can use cotton or dental floss to lift the nail and separate it from the skin. Here are the steps to do this:
- Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. This will help to soften the skin and reduce inflammation and discomfort.
- After soaking your feet, gently lift the edge of the ingrown toenail using disinfected tweezers. Be careful not to perform this step if the nail bed looks swollen or red, as it may be infected.
- Place a small piece of cotton or waxed/unwaxed dental floss under the ingrown toenail, separating the nail from the overlying skin. You can use a toenail lifter for this step. If using cotton, remove a small piece with tweezers, and if using dental floss, cut a 6-inch (15 cm) piece. You may also apply an antiseptic ointment, such as Neosporin, to the cotton or floss before placing it under the nail.
- Change the cotton or floss daily to reduce the risk of infection and help the nail grow above the skin edge.
- Apply petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment to the area and bandage the toe.
It is important to keep the affected area clean and dry to avoid infection. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional.
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Apply petroleum jelly
Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem that usually affects the big toe, but they can develop on any toe. They occur when the corner of the toenail grows into the skin, causing pain and swelling. In rare cases, an ingrown toenail can become severely infected and spread to the bone.
If you have an ingrown toenail, it is recommended to soak your foot in warm water several times a day to reduce pain and swelling. You can also gently massage your foot and toenail to improve blood flow and speed up healing. After soaking and drying your foot, you should apply petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) to the tender area. Finally, bandage the toe to keep it protected. This process can be repeated 3 to 4 times a day until the toe improves.
It is important to note that attempting to cut an ingrown toenail at home can increase the risk of infection and further damage the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to see a healthcare professional if the ingrown toenail is very painful, showing signs of infection, or if walking becomes difficult. They may recommend lifting the nail and placing cotton or dental floss underneath to separate it from the skin and aid in growing above the skin edge. Minor surgeries are also an effective treatment option for ingrown toenails.
To prevent ingrown toenails, it is important to cut your nails straight across and avoid rounding or pointing the corners. Nails should not be cut too short, and it is best to ensure they are long enough that the corners lie loosely against the skin. Additionally, wearing well-fitting shoes that are not too tight can help prevent pinching the toes and causing ingrown toenails.
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Cut toenails straight across
Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem that usually affects the big toe. They can, however, develop on any toe. This condition occurs when the corner of the toenail grows into the skin. While ingrown toenails do not usually pose a health risk, they can become infected and cause complications.
Ingrown toenails can be prevented by adopting good foot care practices. It is important to cut toenails straight across, avoiding rounded or pointed shapes, which create misshapen edges that may grow into the skin. Nails should not be cut too short. They should be left long enough for the corners to lie loosely against the skin.
To cut toenails straight across, it is recommended to use scissors or clippers specifically designed for toenails. Healthcare professionals advise against cutting toenails that have already grown into the skin at home, as this can increase the risk of infection.
If an ingrown toenail is very painful, repeatedly occurs, or shows signs of infection, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional. They may recommend trimming the nail or performing minor surgery to remove part or all of the toenail.
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Wear comfortable shoes
Wearing comfortable shoes is an important step in preventing ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails can be caused by shoes that are too tight or narrow, compressing the toes and causing the nails to grow into the surrounding skin. Therefore, it is important to wear shoes that fit well and have a wide toe box, allowing the toes to spread out comfortably and reducing the risk of nail impaction.
When selecting footwear, it is important to prioritise comfort and function over fashion. Shoes with a wide toe box can accommodate the natural shape of the foot, whereas narrow or pointed shoes can force the toes into an unnatural position, leading to ingrown toenails over time. A roomy toe box allows the toes to rest flat and straight within the shoe, preventing them from being slammed against the front of the shoe. This is especially important for runners, who can build up a lot of forceful strikes against their toenails, often resulting in "black toenails".
High heels should also be avoided, as they can alter the distribution of weight on the feet, increasing pressure on the toes and toenails. Instead, opt for shoes with a lower heel or flat shoes to minimise stress on the toes and promote better alignment. If you must wear heels, choose ones with a wider base and a lower height of 2 inches or less to reduce pressure on the front of the foot.
Additionally, it is important to choose shoes made from breathable materials with cushioned insoles to provide support and reduce friction. Avoid shoes with seams or rough edges that can rub against the toenails and cause irritation. It is also worth noting that loose-fitting shoes that are too big can cause the toes to be shoved towards the front, so it is important to find shoes that fit well and provide adequate support.
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Frequently asked questions
The skin bordering your nail bed will appear red, irritated and swollen. It will be painful and tender to the touch.
If the nail is very painful, getting worse, or showing signs of infection, you should see a healthcare professional for advice. You should not attempt to cut an ingrown nail at home as this can increase the risk of infection.
They may remove part or all of the toenail. They may also remove part of the underlying nail bed and, in some cases, part of the growth centre. They will use sterilised equipment to reduce the risk of infection.
Cut your toenails straight across and avoid cutting them too short.
