Ingrown Toenail Self Care

Ingrown toenail self care is vital as ingrown toenails can be a painful and bothersome issue – especially when you have a disability or are elderly. In this post, we will guide you through gentle and effective self-care techniques for treating ingrown toenails right in the comfort of your own home.

No one enjoys taking off their shoes to find that one or more of their toenails–usually the big toe – are digging into their skin, a painful condition called ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis).

This occurs when one corner of a nail curves down and cuts or pierces an edge of a nail fold causing pain, swelling, redness and warmth as well as potentially becoming infected leading to pus and throbbing pain.

Healthcare professionals can be relied upon to treat ingrown toenails effectively, relieving symptoms and preventing complications. You can also take steps at home by soaking your feet in warm salt water with antiseptic/anti-inflammatory tinctures, gels or creams applied over them.

Discover how to relieve discomfort, prevent infection, and promote healing with our easy-to-follow guide. Whether you’re dealing with occasional ingrown nails or chronic concerns, we’ve got you covered.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care: What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

An ingrown toenail is caused by tight shoes or hosiery, which may cause your toes to close together, causing the nail to push through the skin and penetrate it. Infection and diabetes also increase your risk for ingrown toenails.

Ingrown toenails occur when an edge or corner of a nail cuts into the surrounding skin and forms an infection, typically on the big toe.

This common condition often leads to red, swollen, tender (inflamed) toenails which ooze pus and may even become discoloured, leading to pain when wearing shoes or walking.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care: Identifying Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails often present with symptoms including pain in both the nail or surrounding skin, redness in its surroundings, pus drainage or drainage and sometimes corners that dig into the skin; some people also experience swelling around the toes as the ingrown nail worsens.

Early symptoms may be managed with self-care measures, including bathing your toe with warm salt water several times daily. And applying an antiseptic cotton ball/ dental floss between its edge and skin. If your ingrown toenail is mild or moderate, treating it at home may often be possible.

However, self-care can be limited if your doctor suspects an infection and you have certain medical conditions that put your feet at risk, such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care: Essential Tools

The following nail care tools will be needed for the treatment of ingrown toenails that are already starting to show signs of infection.

Some of them require disinfection to keep them sterile. Once sterilised, you can use them to get rid of infections and relieve pain.

Epsom salt

Epsom salt is a great option for ingrown toenails. The sodium sulfate in the Epsom salt softens the skin, which makes it easier to trim the nail and minimises the discomfort associated with an ingrown toenail.

Do this for at least 15 to 20 minutes twice daily for the inflammation until the swelling has gone down and your skin is soft enough for you to safely clip the nail.

Nail files

Nail file helps remove dead skin cells around the ingrown toenail. It also helps smoothen any rough edges after clipping the nails.

This will make it easier for you to clean the ingrown toenail.

Straight toenail clipper

This is another tool that can be used to cut an ingrown toenail. It’s important to use a pair of quality straight – not curved – toenail clippers when trimming ingrown nails, since they will make the process much more painless and faster.

Tweezers

Tweezers are an essential tool for cleaning ingrown nails because they can gently remove portions of the nail that are growing into the skin.

They are especially helpful if the ingrown toenail is causing pain because they can make it easier for you to cut away the infected area.

Orange stick

Use an orange stick instead of a pair of tweezers to push a piece of cotton soaked in alcohol or dental floss into the corner of your toenail where it’s ingrown.

This will help create a space for you to cut the visible nail corner or ingrown spur, relieving pressure and pain.

Dental floss

Dental floss is an essential lifting item to have for ingrown toenail treatment because it allows you to separate and lift the toenail from its fold. without damaging it or cutting the skin around it. It also helps keep the wound sterile to allow for faster healing.

Cotton wool soaked in alcohol

Cotton wool soaked in alcohol is another valuable tool to use instead of dental floss. It also helps lift the toenail and prevent infections to heal the wound quickly.

Antibiotic ointment

Antibiotic ointment can help prevent infections. You can apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Savlon cream or tea tree oil, diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, to the affected site after soaking it and drying it.

If you’re in a high-risk group for developing foot infections, such as people with diabetes or circulation issues, be sure to visit your healthcare professional for any swollen, painful, or red toes to make sure they aren’t indicative of a serious problem.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care Step 1: Soak Your Feet

To treat your ingrown toenail at home, soak the foot in warm water and add 1-2 teaspoons of Epsom salt (available at drugstores or grocery stores). This helps reduce swelling and ease pain.

Soak the foot in warm water before placing a piece of cotton thread or dental floss under the corner of the nail in order to lift it slightly and encourage growth over – instead of into – the skin.

Warm foot soaks can help ease ingrown toenail pain, while softening calluses and corns that have been caused by pressure from the ingrown toenail. A soak in warm water with unscented Epsom salt will reduce inflammation and ease pain.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care Step 2: Trim Your Nails

The next step is to trim the toenail. When trimming your toenails, be sure to cut them straight across and not too short. Too short cuts are one of the main causes of ingrown toenails and could cause corners of the nails to curl under the skin’s edges, leading to irritation and swelling.

Also, use clean straight nail clippers that won’t round or taper the edges of nails when trimming. If you frequently experience ingrown toenails, also get advice from a foot specialist or podiatrist on how to prevent them.

Risk factors for ingrown toenails include poorly fitting shoes and socks; sweaty feet; and health conditions like diabetes or nerve damage which impair circulation.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care Step 3: Gently Lift the Ingrown Nail

The next step is to gently lift the ingrown toenail. You may be able to create a homemade “lift” that separates the ingrown nail from the skin. This can be done with dental floss or cotton wool soaked in alcohol to form a splint.

Placing cotton thread or dental floss under the sore toenail and monitoring it daily should help avoid ingrown toenails, helping it remain above rather than below the skin’s edge and thus decreasing further infection risks.

Use an orange stick or a pair of tweezers to gently lift the corner of the nail away from your toe. Then slip a piece of cotton wool dipped in alcohol or dental floss under the edge. This will cushion the nail, allowing it to lift slightly and not cut into the skin.

Change the cotton wool or dental floss daily until you can no longer see the edge of the nail under the skin. Repeat this step until your toe is healed.

If you have diabetes or a condition that reduces circulation, you should consult with a doctor before trying this procedure at home. Poor circulation can lead to less pain and other sensations in your feet, making you more prone to developing an ingrown toenail.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care Step 4: Apply Antiseptic Cream

The last step in self-care for an ingrown toenail is applying an antiseptic cream (such as Savlon), which will protect the skin and reduce bacteria.

Once dry, apply an antibiotic ointment to both your nails and surrounding skin to protect from infection.

These ointments are available over-the-counter at most drugstores and should be applied regularly as instructed.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care Treatment: Video

Ingrown Toenail Self Care – Prevention

There are several preventive measures you can take to reduce the risk of ingrown toenails developing. These include wearing proper-fitting shoes, trimming your nails regularly and keeping them trimmed straight.

However, some people are prone to ingrown toenails because of the shape of their nail roots and how the skin goes around them.

In those cases, we recommend seeing a podiatrist for a simple procedure in which part of the nail is removed to prevent further cases of ingrown toenails.

Get more information on how to care for your nails, for healthy disease-free fingers and toenails.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care – Prevention: Wear Proper-Fitting Shoes

An ingrown toenail typically forms on the big toe when one of its edges curves down and digs into or pierces the skin surrounding it, causing discomfort, redness, or infection.

It can become even more painful if tight shoes, socks or hosiery press on it regularly. Ingrown toenails are unfortunately all too common, but with proper footwear hygiene practices such as wearing comfortable footwear, you can reduce them significantly.

Avoid tight footwear when going to work or exercising. And use comfortable pairs when exercising for leisure activities or when travelling.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care – Prevention: Trim Nails Regularly

Trimming your nails regularly is one of the best ways to avoid ingrown toenails. Be sure to cut straight across, not rounding the corners, and don’t make them too short.

Since toenails grow more slowly than fingernails, it may not be necessary to trim them as frequently.

However, be sure to sanitise nail clippers and scissors prior to use to minimise the risk of infection.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care – Prevention: Avoid Nail Damage

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a nail digs into or pierces the skin around it. Causes may include any trauma which leads to nail damage.

These include incidences such as stubbing or dropping something on one’s toe; kicking hard with shoes on; suffering an injury that involves the toenails; poor fitting shoes that crowd toes too closely.

Certain medical conditions like psoriasis, diabetes, circulation issues or fungal infections may cause toenail damage – thick or curved toenails may increase the likelihood of digging further into skin layers.

Ingrown Toenail Self Care Home Remedies: Video

Ingrown Toenail Self Care – Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

You may find that the first few attempts at treatment of an ingrown nail at home are unsuccessful. If the skin around the ingrown toenail is red, swollen or has pus on it, it is most likely an infection.

People suffering from ingrown toenails should treat them early before they worsen.

Proper foot hygiene must also be maintained, including regular trimming of nails and wearing footwear that fits properly Such measures will help prevent ingrown toenails from forming And this will alleviate pain, redness, swelling and infection associated with an ingrown nail.