Some usual activities like walking and wearing shoes can irritate your toe and cause severe pain.
One of the worst things that can happen is that it can result with an infection that expands very quickly.
When Your Nail Isn’t Growing Properly
Another name for ingrown toenail is onychocryptosis and it is an usual condition that can impact everyone.
It appears when the toenail curls inwards which leads to growing of the sides into the toe instead of going flat above it. This results with skin tearing beneath the nail that can easily get infected by bacteria of fungi.
Some of the less common factors include:
- Thickening of the nail plate
- Strangely formed toenails
- Some toe deformities like hallux valgus
- Subungual exostosis
- Using isotretinoin (acne medicine)
Ingrown toenails can be noticed. Once the nail gets into your skin, you will feel pain in the toe. This leads to swelling and redness around the impacted part.
This condition develops in three stages:
Stage 1 is a mild condition manifested by nail-fold swelling, erythema, edema and pain with pressure.
Stage 2 moderate and is related with intensive swelling, drainage, infection and ulceration
Stage 3 is an extreme health problem manifested by chronic inflammation and nail- fold hypertrophy.
The second and the third stage need corrective surgery and proper medical attention, but the first one can be healed at home with natural remedies.
6 Ways to Cure an Ingrown Toenail
Here are some very simple home remedies that will not spend too much of your time and will solve your problem with an ingrown toenail.
But, if you are a diabetic or suffer from any other health condition that causes neuropathy or harms your nervous system, consult your podiatrist first if you intend to use any of the following homemade medicines.
Epsom Salt
You will manage to clean your nail and eliminate bacteria if you soak your foot in a warm bath made with Epsom Salt. This salt will decrease the pain and reduce the swelling in the toe.
Just soak your foot in the bath for 15 minutes several times a day. This will make your toenail softer and gently tweak on the corners of the nail with a sterilized nail file which will reduce pressure on the skin. After the bath, dry your feet and put some band aid on the toenail for the rest of the day.
Castile Soap Soak
If you don’t have time for 3-4 foot baths, soak your foot in warm water and castile soap twice a day in order to prevent any infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar Wash
¼ of a cup of apple cider vinegar is a good alternative for Epsom salts in the prevention of any fungal infection. You can also apply diluted apple cider vinegar onto the skin around the toenail.
Essential Oils
You can prepare an antibiotic ointment in order to relieve pain and inflammation. You can prepare it with 5 drops each of eucalyptus, tea tree and lavender essential oil, 2 drops of peppermint oil and 1 drop of oregano oil.
Mix with 2 oz each of aloe vera gel and coconut oil and slowly massage the affected area with the ointment after soaking and drying the foot.
Keep this remedy into a glass jar with high-quality lid and use it 2-3 times a day. Put some clean band aid over the treated place when you have applied the ointment.
Dental Floss & Cotton
Once you have finished with the bath, insert a small piece of unflavored dental floss beneath the corner of the nail and pull it up gently so that you can lower the pressure. Make sure you aren’t forcing your nail because this could lead to another injury.
Use a piece of sterile gauze and apply it under the nail in order to disable it from contacting your skin and to force it to return to its proper position.
Do this always after soaking your toe with a new piece of gauze. Wrap up your toe into bandage or medical tape. Your nail should be normalized within 2 weeks.
Change Your Shoes
Tight shoes and high heels are pressing your toes and apply pressure on them. This also forces the ingrown nail deeper into the skin which is quite painful. You should wear flat shoes or sandals until your toenail is cured.
The Ultimate Ingrown Toenail Routine
Here are some methods for a nail free of pain!
Make a bath of Epsom salt, castile soap or apple cider vinegar and soak your foot.
Lift the nail from the swollen skin with a disinfect nail file or fresh dental floss in order to relieve the pressure.
Apply diluted apple cider vinegar or hydrogen peroxide under the nail.
Put gauze beneath the nail edge to lift it up.
Put some natural antibiotic cream to the skin around the nail.
Put some loose bandage around your toe. Make sure you are not applying pressure on the nail.
Wear sandals until you heal the ingrown toenail.
Iterate the treatment every day until you solve your problem.
If you want to prevent this problem from reoccurring, trim your nails adequately (in straight line) and get rid of the high heels and tight shoes. Wash and dry your feet after work or exercising so that you can prevent your skin around the nails to become soft.
If this problem is reoccurring too often, feel free to visit a podiatrist.
Tags
Health
