An ingrown toenail usually occurs following improper trimming of the nail and tends to happen most often on the big toe. As the nail grows, it embeds itself into the skin of the toe, causing pain, inflammation and sometimes even infection. Depending on the severity of the ingrown toenail, there are a number of different treatment options.
Home Treatment
If your condition isn't too severe, you may be able to treat your ingrown toenail from home using a few simple steps, according to MedlinePlus. Start by soaking the affected toe in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times a day. Once the toe has had a chance to soak and dry completely, spend 10 to 15 minutes gently massaging the affected area to reduce inflammation. Pack some cotton in between the ingrown toenail and the skin, and let it rest. Continue to pack additional cotton under the toenail until you're able to create enough space to trim. When you do trim it, trim straight across with a pair of clean, sharp toenail clippers.
Surgical Treatment
If the home treatment doesn't work, you may need to consider surgical removal of your toenail to prevent infection or further injury to your toe. Your doctor will make an incision around the affected area, removing the nail and some of the infected skin and tissue affected by the ingrown toenail. It may take up to 4 months for your nail to grow back. Depending on how much of your nail the doctor has to remove, it may grow back deformed, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Medication
If you are in significant pain from the inflammation common in an ingrown toenail, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain medication to reduce the swelling and help you deal with the pain, so you can walk or get around. If the ingrown toenail has caused an infection, you may need to take an antibiotic to help fight off the infection. Your doctor will prescribe these medications depending on his evaluation of your toe.
Considerations
Do not try home treatment of an ingrown toenail if there are visible signs of an infection, such as discharge from the toenail area, or if you have poor circulation to your feet or diabetes. See your health care professional immediately in these situations.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
The best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to trim your toenails straight across rather than trying to taper them on the edges. Tapered toenail edges tend to grow down and into the nail bed rather than out like regular, straight-cut toenails. Also avoid picking or tearing at the corners of your nails, as this can increase your chances of an ingrown toenail.
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