Noah Sinclair
Ingrown fingernails are a common issue that can usually be treated at home. They occur when the nail grows into the sides or corners of the skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and even infection. Home remedies include soaking the affected area in warm water, using dental floss or cotton to lift the nail, and applying antibiotic ointment. However, if home treatments are ineffective or symptoms worsen, it is important to consult a healthcare provider, who may recommend medical treatment or, in rare cases, surgery.
How to remove an ingrown fingernail
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Cutting nails too short, improper nail trimming, genetics, or a congenital problem |
| Symptoms | Pain, redness, swelling, and infection |
| Home treatment | Soaking in warm water, using antibiotic ointment, keeping it dry, lifting the nail with dental floss or cotton, using OTC topical medication, pain relievers, or NSAIDs |
| Medical treatment | Non-invasive procedures, surgery, nail avulsion, medication, or chemical matricectomy |
| Prevention | Practicing good handwashing techniques, scrubbing underneath long fingernails, keeping nails at a healthy length, and using clean, sharp tools for trimming |
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Soak in warm water
Ingrown fingernails are a common issue that can usually be treated at home. Soaking the affected area in warm water is a simple yet effective home remedy.
To begin the process, fill a basin with warm water. You can add a mild soap to the water or opt for a mixture of warm water and Epsom salt. Ensure the water is warm but not hot to the touch. Submerge the hand with the ingrown fingernail in this solution for a few minutes. This will help soften the nail and the surrounding skin.
Once the nail and skin are soft, use a clean towel to gently pat your hand dry. It is important to keep the affected area clean and dry throughout the day. However, if there are signs of infection, keep the area covered with a sterile bandage to prevent further infection.
After soaking and drying your hand, gently push the skin back from the ingrown fingernail border. You can use a small piece of cotton or dental floss to slightly raise the ingrown nail edge and place it under the nail. This will help separate the nail from the skin and direct the nail to grow above the skin's edge. Change the cotton or dental floss daily until your nail starts growing in the right direction.
Soaking the ingrown fingernail in warm water is a simple, effective, and pain-free way to treat the condition at home. However, if the pain intensifies or there are signs of infection, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for other treatment options.
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Use dental floss
Ingrown nails are a common issue that can usually be treated at home. However, if home remedies do not work, a health professional can remove the ingrown portion of the nail. Ingrown nails can allow bacteria or fungi to enter the body through a break in the skin, so it is important to monitor the affected area for any signs of infection.
If you are prone to ingrown nails, you may have seen the dental floss hack on TikTok. This method involves placing dental floss under the ingrown nail to lift it and placing a small piece of cotton underneath. However, Dr Trepal, a podiatrist, typically does not recommend this approach because ingrown nails tend to be sensitive, and putting something underneath them can be painful. Nevertheless, you might find this treatment effective if you catch the ingrown nail in its early stages.
To use the dental floss method, start by soaking your ingrown nail in cool water with 1/2 cup of Epsom salts for at least 30 minutes. You can add a few drops of antibacterial soap if you like. Once your skin is soft and some of the swelling has subsided, dry your hands and nails with a clean towel. Then, take a plain dental floss, roll it in your fingers, and gently push back the skin to lift the edge of the nail away from the affected area. Place the floss under the nail to keep it in place. It will guide the corner of the nail above the skin as it grows.
Change the floss every day until the nail no longer digs into the skin. If you cannot soak your hand or foot in warm water or apple cider vinegar three to four times a day, using castile soap just once a day may work. Use castile soap with water to cleanse the nail bed with the help of a soft washcloth. If you are guiding the nail away from the skin, apply alcohol to the affected area to clean it.
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Treat with antibiotics
Ingrown fingernails are usually not serious and can be treated at home. However, if you experience severe pain or notice signs of infection, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider. Antibiotics can be used to treat an ingrown fingernail when an infection is present.
If you have an ingrown fingernail, it is important to keep the area clean and dry during the day. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before treating the affected area. Rinse the ingrown fingernail with fresh water and gently pat it dry. Apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the area. Cover the ingrown fingernail with a sterile bandage to prevent further infection. Change the bandage and apply ointment at least once per day until the nail has grown out and healed.
If you have a mild infection, speak with a doctor. They may recommend non-invasive medical procedures such as placing tape on the skin around the affected area to pull the skin away from the nail, relieving pressure and pain. The doctor may also gently lift the nail and insert a small wedge of medicated cotton between the nail and the inflamed skin.
If you have a more severe infection, your doctor may recommend surgery. Partial nail avulsion, which removes the portion of the nail that has grown into the skin, combined with a chemical matrixectomy, is considered the most successful treatment option for ingrown nails. This procedure involves numbing the infected area, removing the ingrown portion, applying a chemical agent, and then applying antibiotic ointment. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics after the surgical procedure to prevent further infection.
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Surgery
Before performing surgery, a healthcare professional will diagnose an ingrown fingernail based on the patient's symptoms and a physical examination of the nail and surrounding skin. If the condition is severe, recurrent, or causing complications, surgery may be recommended.
Surgical treatment for ingrown fingernails typically involves removing the portion of the nail that has grown into the skin, a procedure known as partial nail avulsion. Local anaesthesia is applied to numb the infected area before removing the ingrown portion of the nail. In some cases, the underlying cuticle or nail bed may also be removed to prevent the nail from growing back. This can be done using lasers or chemicals.
After the nail removal, a chemical agent such as phenol or sodium hydroxide may be applied to the nail matrix (the base of the nail where it begins to grow) to prevent regrowth and reduce the risk of infection. This procedure is called a chemical matrixectomy. Antibiotic ointment is then applied to the area, and gauze is wrapped around the nail to protect it.
Following the surgery, patients may experience pain and swelling, which can be managed with pain relievers and wet compresses. It is important to keep the surgical site clean and dry, and to avoid activities that may hurt the finger or disrupt the healing process. In most cases, the fingernail will grow back within 2 to 4 months. However, if the nail bed is removed, that portion of the nail may not grow back.
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Prevention
Ingrown fingernails are a common issue, and prevention is key to avoiding pain and infection. Here are some detailed tips to prevent ingrown fingernails:
Keep Nails Clean and Dry
It is important to keep your fingernails clean and dry as much as possible. This helps clear out bacteria that can cause infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before treating an ingrown nail at home. Keep your hands and nails moisturised to prevent them from drying and cracking, which can lead to ingrown nails.
Trim Nails Properly
The way you trim your nails is crucial. Nails should be cut straight across, avoiding any unevenness on either side. Nails that are too short can lead to ingrown nails, so it is recommended to keep them at a healthy length. Researchers suggest that nails should not be shorter than the edge of your fingertip. If you must shape your nails, allow them to grow straight out beyond the folds of skin on either side of your finger before shaping. Soak your nails in warm water before trimming to soften them, and use a clean nail trimmer.
Soaking and Treatment
Soaking your hands in warm water 3-4 times a day for 10-20 minutes can help prevent and treat ingrown nails. Soaking softens the skin and nail, allowing the nail to grow outward and relieving pressure. You can add Epsom salts or tea tree oil to the water for greater pain relief and to combat nail fungus. After soaking, gently lift the nail from the skin to encourage proper growth. Apply an antifungal or antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and help the nail heal faster.
Avoid Nail Biting
Nail biting damages the shape and condition of nails, making them more susceptible to becoming ingrown. It also increases the risk of infection as bacteria can transfer from your mouth to the nail. Address any underlying causes of nail biting, such as anxiety or ADHD, and try using bitter polish or wearing gloves to break the habit.
Be Mindful of Your Activities
Ingrown nails are often related to your occupation or daily activities. If you routinely engage in activities that put pressure on the nail, it may curve unnaturally and grow into the skin. Writing, typing, cutting vegetables, sewing, and using certain hand tools can all contribute to ingrown nails. Be mindful of how you use your hands, and take preventive measures to avoid ingrown nails.
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Frequently asked questions
If the side of your fingernail hurts when pressed, you could be developing an ingrown fingernail. Other symptoms include redness, pain, and sometimes pus from the skin around the ingrown fingernail.
Ingrown fingernails usually heal on their own. Soaking your finger in warm water and using antibiotic ointment, and keeping it dry can help it heal faster.
If you begin to experience severe pain or notice signs of infection, it's important to speak with a healthcare provider.
Doctors may recommend non-invasive medical procedures, such as placing a piece of tape on the affected area to pull the skin away from the nail. In more severe cases, they may recommend surgery to remove the affected area of the nail.
Ingrown fingernails are often caused by improper nail trimming, such as cutting nails too short or unevenly. To prevent them, cut your nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short.
