Caleb Foster
Ingrown fingernails are a common issue, especially for teenagers and adults over 50, and can be very painful. They are usually caused by improper nail trimming, such as cutting nails too short or not straight across. Luckily, they can often be treated at home by soaking the affected area in warm water and applying over-the-counter topical medications. However, if home remedies don't work, medical treatment or surgery may be necessary to prevent complications such as permanent nail damage and infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Soaking in warm water, using antibiotic ointment, keeping it dry, OTC topical medications, surgery |
| Symptoms | Redness, pain, swelling, pus, inflammation |
| Causes | Cutting the nail too short, not cutting it straight across, improper nail trimming, physical labour-heavy jobs, nail thickness, nail brittleness, picking or biting at nails, trimming nails too short, cuts around the nail bed, hangnails, cutting nails too short, long nails |
| Prevention | Keeping nails trimmed, regular soaking of nails, soaking before trimming, using clean nail trimmer, trimming nails straight across the top, avoiding rounding nails, avoiding cutting nails too short, soaking nails in tea tree oil |
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What You'll Learn
Soak in warm water and apply ointment
Soaking an ingrown fingernail in warm water and applying ointment is a simple and effective home remedy. It is a good idea to soak the affected area in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, two to four times a day. This helps to soften the nail, making it easier to trim. It also helps to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation, and can prevent infection. You can add a few tablespoons of Epsom salt or half a cup of hydrogen peroxide to the water to further reduce the risk of infection. After soaking, dry the area thoroughly and apply an antibiotic ointment to keep germs out. You can then cover the area loosely with a bandage.
It is important to keep the area dry when you are not soaking it. Soaking is a good way to treat mild ingrown nails, but if this does not help, you may need to speak to a doctor about other treatments.
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Use OTC topical treatments
Ingrown fingernails are usually not serious and can be treated at home. However, if home remedies don't work, you may need to see a doctor.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help treat mild to moderate ingrown fingernails. These can help relieve pain and inflammation.
Firstly, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then, fill a deep bowl with warm, salted water and soak the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse the ingrown fingernail with fresh water and gently pat it dry.
After soaking, you can apply an OTC topical antibiotic, antifungal, or corticosteroid. If you have an infection, keep the area covered with a sterile bandage to prevent further infection.
If you have a cut or break in the skin, cover it with antibiotic ointment and a clean bandage to keep germs out. You can also apply petroleum jelly to the tender area and bandage the toe.
OTC treatments can help relieve pain and inflammation. However, if these treatments don't work, you may need to speak to a doctor about non-invasive medical procedures.
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Surgical treatments
Ingrown fingernails are usually minor conditions that can be treated at home and rarely require surgical treatment. However, severe cases involving pain and swelling may require a minor surgical procedure or prescription medication. People with diabetes or other conditions that restrict blood flow are at a higher risk of complications and should be cautious with nail care and seek immediate medical attention.
If home remedies do not improve the condition, a healthcare provider may recommend medical treatment. Surgical treatments for ingrown fingernails are similar to those for ingrown toenails and may include:
- Lifting the nail: The healthcare provider carefully lifts the ingrown edge of the nail and places cotton, dental floss, or a splint under it. This separates the nail from the skin and helps the nail grow out above the skin, usually within 2 to 12 weeks.
- Placing a gutter splint under the nail: This method involves numbing the affected area and slipping a tiny slit tube underneath the embedded nail. The splint stays in place until the nail has grown out above the skin, providing pain relief.
- Taping the nail: This technique involves pulling the skin away from the ingrown nail with tape.
- Removing the affected area of the nail: In more severe cases, surgical treatment may involve removing the part of the nail that is causing the issue.
- Medication: Prescription antibiotics may be necessary to treat or prevent infection following a surgical procedure.
It is important to note that good handwashing techniques and proper nail care can help prevent infections and complications associated with ingrown fingernails.
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Preventative measures
Ingrown fingernails are usually not serious and can be treated at home. However, they can be very painful and may require medical attention if they become infected or if home remedies do not help. Taking preventive measures is key to avoiding painful ingrown fingernails. Here are some ways to prevent ingrown fingernails:
Keep Your Nails Trimmed
The most common cause of ingrown fingernails is cutting the nails too short. Therefore, it is important to keep your nails trimmed but not too short. When trimming your nails, use a clean nail trimmer and trim your nails straight across the top, avoiding rounding or cutting them at an angle. Soak your nails in warm water before trimming to soften them and make them easier to cut.
Soak Your Nails Regularly
Soaking your nails in warm water can help prevent ingrown fingernails and treat mild cases. Soak your hands in warm water 3-4 times daily for 15-20 minutes each time. You can also add salt to the water, as soaking in warm, salty water can help relieve inflammation and prevent infection. After soaking, gently pat your hands dry and keep them dry for the rest of the day.
Practice Good Hand Hygiene
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before and after handling your nails. Long fingernails can accumulate more dirt and bacteria, so keep your nails short and scrub underneath them when washing your hands. Use a clean towel to dry your hands and nails after washing.
Treat Cuts and Breaks in the Skin
If you have a cut or break in the skin around your nails, cover it with antibiotic ointment and a clean bandage to prevent infection. This is important because bacteria or fungi can enter through breaks in the skin and cause an infection, which can lead to more serious complications.
Seek Medical Attention if Needed
People with diabetes, neuropathy, circulation problems, or other conditions that restrict blood flow are at a greater risk for complications related to ingrown nails. If you have any of these conditions, be extra cautious with nail care and seek medical attention right away if you notice an ingrown fingernail.
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When to see a doctor
Ingrown fingernails are usually not serious, and you can treat them at home. However, if home remedies do not help, you may need to see a doctor.
People with diabetes, neuropathy, or circulation problems should not try to treat ingrown nails at home and should seek medical attention. Additionally, if you have an infection, keep the infected area covered with a sterile bandage and see a doctor to prevent further infection.
If your symptoms become severe, you should go to the doctor immediately. For example, if your fingernail has pus, if the pain is getting worse, or if you have a fever, seek medical attention. Furthermore, if your ingrown fingernail has not improved after around five days, you may need to see a doctor.
If you do not see any improvements using home remedies, a doctor may recommend medical treatment. They may treat the ingrown fingernail with a topical antibiotic, antifungal, or corticosteroid. If the infection is deep in the finger, your physician may prescribe an oral antibiotic. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the affected area of the nail.
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Frequently asked questions
Ingrown fingernails can be treated at home by soaking the affected area in warm water and applying antibiotic ointment. It is also recommended to keep the area dry during the day.
If your ingrown fingernail becomes infected, you should seek medical attention. Your healthcare provider may prescribe an oral antibiotic or suggest removing the nail through a procedure called nail avulsion.
Ingrown fingernails are often caused by improper nail trimming, such as cutting your fingernails too short or unevenly. They can also be caused by picking or biting at your fingernails.
To prevent ingrown fingernails, it is important to maintain proper nail care. This includes keeping your nails trimmed, soaking your nails before trimming, and trimming your nails straight across the top.
