Article: Ingrown Toenail Remedies

Ingrown Toenail Remedies

Author: BillJ

Ingrown toenails are fairly common and usually affect the big toe. The condition happens when the corner or side of your toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe resulting in pain, redness and sometimes infection. You can often perform your ingrown toenail remedies at home on your own or with the help of a friend if you can’t reach your feet easily.

One of the most common causes of ingrown toenails are shoes and socks that fit to tightly. The damp atmosphere inside of the shoe can cause the skin of the toe around the nail to soften and expand and the toenail may begin to curve slightly making it much easier to begin to grow into the soft skin. The toenail is pushed into the skin every time the tight shoes are worn and over time begins to grow into the skin on the toe. This happens most often on the big toe when the nail pushes out or into the sides of the flesh.

Another common cause of ingrown toenails is the toenails not being cut correctly (not straight across or being cut too short) or by not keeping your feet clean and dry. Tearing or picking at the corners of the nails can also increase the chances of getting an ingrown toenail. The toenail itself can sometimes have an unusual curve causing it to grow into the tissue of the toe, and sometimes it can be caused from injuring the toe. Some people have inherited nail deformities and abnormally shaped nail beds which make them much more susceptible to getting an ingrown toenail.

If undetected and untreated the ingrown toenail can cause infection, eventually even into the bone. Diabetes or impaired blood circulation can accelerate the infection in the toe. If you or someone you know can reach your feet and use simple tools, you can easily treat the ingrown toenail yourself but if this is not possible then you may have to see a doctor.

There are many things people can do themselves to avoid or treat this painful circumstance. Begin by soaking the foot in very warm water for awhile and gently wash the tender area so you can get a good look at what needs to be done before removing any skin or nail. Make sure everything is as sterile as possible; use some gauze with rubbing alcohol on the toe and the tools before and after the procedure. If the toe is just too tender, try using a topical anesthetic and or ice.

However painful it may be, it will only get worse if not treated. After you get the skin and nail softened up some, you may be able to trim the nail and skin to separate them a bit – if the ingrown toenail clippers alone are not enough to do what you need to do then you can buy an ingrown toenail kit that will have all the tools you will need to do this.

If you still can't clip the nail away then try to get something between the nail and the toe. Place fresh bits of cotton or waxed dental floss under the nail to help it grow away from the skin and make sure to change this daily. It may take a week or two to see any progress of the nail growing away from the skin.
With these ingrown toenail remedies you can cure yourself or at least stop the condition from getting worse until you can get to a doctor.

Go without shoes or where something loose for awhile if you can, the goal is to keep pressure off of the toenail. Remember to keep your feet as clean and dry as possible. Continue to pay close attention to the progress or lack of any; if the pain is getting worse and the infection is not clearing up, call your doctor.

Expert Advice, Smart Choices, Better Health. One of the most comprehensive online resources for ingrown toenail remedies. Choose the correct way to diagnose and treat an ingrown toenail with these professional tools and simple methods.

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