by timrel

June 25, 2018

Anyone with an ingrown toenail can tell you how bothersome the condition is.

Discomfort and pain are common side effects of an ingrown nail.

Ingrown toenails stem from foot injuries, wearing the wrong shoes, and genetics.
At times, our toenails can be unsightly. They might sport a yellow tone, a crack, or get lumpy and thick based on the time of year, along with how exposed they are to bacteria or fungus.

For the most part, ingrown toenails are painful, and the longer the issues are neglected, the worse it gets.

People have been known to resolve the ingrown toenail issue on their own using pen knifes, but this approach will worsen the issue.

There are cleaner and healthier ways to deal with an ingrown toenail:

What are Ingrown Toenails?

An ingrown toenail arises when the side or a corner of a toenail penetrates the flesh, leading to swelling, redness, or worse - an infection.

Ingrown toenails tend to show up on the big toe since that nail is the strongest and thickest, particularly when wearing shoes that constrict your feet.

Other potential symptoms are:

  • Skin inflammation on the end of the toe
  • Pain when there is pressure on the toe
  • Bleeding
  • chevron-right
    Skin overgrowth surrounding the toe affected
  • chevron-right
    An accumulation of fluid in the space around the toe
  • chevron-right
    Yellow or white pus emitting from the area affected

If you want to know more information on ingrowing toenails then watch this video.......

HERE ARE 8 NATURAL REMEDIES FOR INGROWING TOENAILS THAT ARE SIMPLE BUT VERY EFFECTIVE

No1 Epsom Salt Foot Soak

Soaking your feet is worthwhile whether or not you have an ingrown toenail.

The first step you should take to treat an ingrown toenail is to soak it.

According to the Epsom Salt Council, the powder can minimize swelling, sooth muscle pain, and soften the skin.

Soaking your feet in a warm Epsom salt bath will minimize the swelling and pain of your ingrown toenail.

This approach is also effective for an ingrown toenail that is only mildly grown. It can make the skin softer to prepare it for other treatments.   For more details, click here.

No2 Cotton Ball Approach

Because ingrown toenails happen when the nail grows too close to the skin, it is practical to keep the two separate.

According to the Mayo Clinic, physicians usually lift the toenail and put a small cotton ball beneath the nail to stimulate growth away from the skin.

If you opt for this method in your home, ensure you use antiseptic treatment to soak the cotton and change the dressing every day.

Between cotton changes, you can alleviate pain and keep rough, rigid skin soft by soaking your toe in Epsom salt.

Another effective approach to alleviate pain is to use a pain relieving gel for ingrown toenails. Dr. Scholl makes such a product and pairs it with a bandage cushion and foam ring to keep the affected area protected.

No3 Dental Floss

The dental floss approach is like the cotton ball method above.

Putting dental floss beneath the nail can aid in moderately dividing the nail from the skin for the purposes of growth redirection.

If you opt for this approach, ensure you use unflavored floss. The area is sensitive, and the mint will sting upon contact. For more details, click here.

No4 Toolkit for Toenails

This is an approach often used. A professional pedicure kit comes with a cleaning tool and a toenail corrector. It is more of an ingrown toenail prevention kit than a treatment.

The toenail corrector uses lever mechanics to modify the direction of how your nail grows. The nail will be flattened, expanded, and grow in another direction.

Here are the directions on how to use it........ 

  • Disinfect the tools, your fingernails, and of course, your toenails.
  • Use warm water to soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Use both equipment hooks to connect with each side of the ingrown toenail.
  • check
    With your hand, hold the tool’s center fulcrum and twist the nut. Adjust the equipment on the other toenail with your free hand. (For each nail size, fulcrum towards both directions.)
  • check
    Intensify slowly until you feel it expanding painlessly. Every 10 minutes, slightly intensify.
  • check
    After a half hour, withdraw your feet from the water. Dry your feet for 15 minutes.
  • check
    Put the equipment away. Your toenail will sport a different shape. To stop any rebounding, place some medical cotton beneath the shifted nails. For more details, click here.

No5 Cutting a 'V' in the Toenail

If you would prefer to refrain from penetrating the toenail’s sensitive area, you can try this popular-yet-unproven approach.

Notching the middle of the nail that’s affected should alleviate pressure from the sides and stimulate proper growth.

No6 Nail Softening

Your toenail is very thick and might be triggering the ingrowth.

It is difficult to cut thick toenails, which can lead to ingrown ones. Thicker toenails also pierce the skin more easily. 

Using a multipurpose compound (such as tea tree oil) on the nail may aid in combating fungus and infections.

Minimizing fungus will aid in softening the nail to cut it. It will also minimize the infection risk.

Consider using: Miracle Toenail Soft 1 Oz - Temporary Nail Softening Cream with 60% Ultra Aloe. This special cream softens the toenail temporarily no matter how hard or thick it is.

SPECIAL SOFTENING AGENTS AND 60% ULTRAALOE ALOE GEL penetrate nails to soften them for trimming and cutting.

As you sleep, your toenails will be softened. Put some on before you go to bed. When you wake up, trim your toenails.

SIMPLIFIES THE TRIMMING PROCESS - say goodbye to torn, jagged, and cracked toenails. For more details, click here.

No7 Bandage

Ingrown toenails tend to be painful once they get infected.

When skin gets broken and irritated, there is a higher chance of contracting other infections and bacteria.

Bandages must be applied to protect and cushion the affected area. It can aid in resolving the issue, too.

The padded gel tube called the Zen Toes Toe Protector slides directly over the affected toe. Its adaptable design makes it a great corn protector, ingrown toenail protector, or hammer toe protector for pain resulting from toe tenderness and misalignments.

In comparison to sticky corn cushions, these toe protectors remain where you place them for more secure and dependable protection all day long. For more details, click here.

No8 Curve Corrector

This small toenail brace removes ingrown toenails by resolving extreme curvature of nails - the painful ingrown toenail source. Ten clear braces come in each kit.

How it Works
The composite strip is a brace to lay across your toenail. This strip acts as a spring, so when it’s attached to the curved area of your toenail, it adds a mild force that strengthens the nail. Side toenail pressure is removed.

Users can expect pain relief after 1 to 3 days of use. The nail is noticeably less painful and curved within the week. Every brace remains on for 3 to 6 weeks. For most people, one application is all that’s necessary.

If you suffer from chronic ingrown toenails, maintain ongoing treatment for a total toenail regrowth cycle to reduce the chances of it coming back. For more details, click here.

How to Stop Ingrown Toenails

Stopping Ingrown Toenails: The simplest approach to remove an ingrown toenail is to stop it from happening, to begin with.

Refrain from cutting the toenails too short and unevenly near the corners. Most ingrown toenails start at the corners.

You should also be wearing comfortable footwear and socks. If you can wiggle your toes in your socks and shoes, you’re wearing the right footwear.

Athletes & Ingrown Toenails

If you’re someone who is athletic, you’re more likely to develop an ingrown toenail.
Last but not least, keep your feet as clean and dry as you can.

When to Visit Your Doctor
See your foot care expert if your ingrown toenail is bleeding, inflamed, or is producing puss from infection.

It is imperative to ask for medical advice if you have an ingrown toenail and suffer from diabetes, too. The healing of your ingrown toenail could be affected by diabetes.

About the author

timrel

I am passionate about health and wellbeing and have writing for over 10 years on the subject. I have a BSc Hons Degree and undertake vigorous research to help people improve their lives and live more a healthy and happy life.

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