A nail when it grows medially downwards entering the skin results in a condition known as an ingrown toenail.
A toenail can grow medially downwards if you wear very tight shoes, cutting nails at an angle or cutting them too short, and in case of a toenail trauma.
Ingrown toenails can cause infection, and in severe cases, a medical professional is required to treat an ingrown toenail. If you have been dealing with an ingrown toenail, you can contact a Las Vegas ingrown toenail specialist.
Home remedies:
- Soaking the foot in warm water: soaking the foot in warm water can help reduce inflammation and ease the pain. It also makes the nail softer to be cut easily using a nail cutter. It is also suggested to add some Epsom salt to the warm water. Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate and the magnesium released helps reduce the inflammation. Soaking in warm water should be repeated three times a day.
- Soak in apple cider vinegar: it is believed that apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Patients who have tried this technique have given positive responses.
- Pack the nail with cotton: placing cotton under the nail forces the nail to grow in the proper direction. Before placing the cotton, make sure to sterilize it, as it can increase the chances of an infection.
- Ointments: gels or ointments available over the counter have antibiotic properties, and these ointments help in the healing process and reduce the chances of infection. Some of the common ointments include Neosporin and polysporin.
- Wearing comfortable shoes and socks: tight shoes or socks can worsen the cases of an ingrown toenail. In the healing process, it is suggested to wear comfortable shoes and socks, also by avoiding tight shoes and socks; one can prevent the chances of developing an ingrown toenail.
- Use a toe brace: toe braces are made up of adhesive material and are stuck on top of a nail to protect the surrounding skin from the sharp edges of the growing nail and to uplift the nail while it is growing.
In severe cases of ingrown toenails, home remedies may not work, and a doctor may suggest a nail removal. It can be a partial nail removal, or in very severe cases, a complete nail removal.
Before going ahead with any of these methods, consult your doctor, as the doctor should first physically examine the severity of the ingrowth and advise which home remedy will be most effective.
