An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the corner of one of your toenails grows down and into the skin on your toe, according to MedlinePlus. Ingrown toenails are often caused by wearing tight shoes or improperly trimming your toenails. An ingrown toenail may become red and infected, causing pain in your toe. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, your doctor can give you an accurate diagnosis with just a visual exam. You may be able to treat a mild ingrown toenail at home. A severely ingrown toenail could require surgery.
Step 1
Soak your foot in room-temperature water combined with epsom salts three or four times per day. Dry your toe thoroughly, then massage your infected toe.
Step 2
Wet a small piece of cotton fabric or length of dental floss with water or antiseptic and slip the cotton or floss under your ingrown toenail, if possible.
Step 3
Use clean, sharp toenail trimmers to cut back your ingrown toenail. Cut the infected toenail in a straight line across the top of the nail. Do not create a rounded toenail edge as you cut. Do not cut your toenail more than once. If you are unable to fix your ingrown toenail after one attempt at cutting the nail, see your doctor.
Step 4
Wear open-toed shoes, weather permitting, for as long as your toenail is ingrown.
Step 5
Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, to treat any pain from your ingrown toenail during treatment.
Step 6
Call your doctor if you do not experience relief from your ingrown toenail after two or three days of home treatment, or if your toenail gets worse.
Step 7
Ask your doctor about surgery to repair your ingrown toenail. He may choose to remove part of your toenail. Follow your doctor's instructions following surgery for recovery, which may include taking oral antibiotics.
Things You'll Need
- Epsom salts
- Piece of cotton fabric or dental floss
- Antiseptic
- Toenail trimmers
- Open-toed shoes
- Pain reliever
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