An ingrown toenail can be a painful experience. Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail begins to grow in or invade the skin around the toe, explains MayoClinic.com. You may experience redness, tenderness, swelling on the side of the nail and in some cases, a discharge. Certain tools can help remedy an ingrown toenail. If you are prone to foot problems, notice a discoloration in the toe or are diabetic, seek medical treatment for your condition.
Ingrown Toenail Lifter
One of the first signs of an ingrown toenail include pain in and around the outer perimeter of the toenail, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The reason it is so painful is often times the nail is growing up underneath the skin or curling down and digging into the skin. An ingrown toenail lifter is a device that is created to help you gently pick and lift the end of the toenail to apply antiseptic underneath or to assist with trimming back the nail. Made from metal or stainless steel, it generally has a grip on it to avoid slipping. It is curved at the end so you can reach underneath the nail with ease. It has a flat spatula shaped end that helps you easily lift the toenail or pry the edge of the nail away from the swollen area.
Ingrown Toenail File
In some cases you may have to file away at the toe or the ingrown toenail in order to remove it or disinfect it. Specially designed toenail files are able to fit easily above, around and under the toe. When you do not file your toenails correctly or evenly across, trim them too short or have thick nails, you increase your risk for developing an ingrown toenail, states Medline Plus. In order to relieve the pressure of a heavy or curved ingrown toenail, you may want to try filing it down. An ingrown toenail file will help you lift the edges of the toenail so you can file underneath to relieve pressure and smooth out the nail as much as possible.
Ingrown Toenail Nipper
If you are able to easily see and access your ingrown toenail, you may be able to clip it off and remove it. Made from stainless steel or reinforced metal, a toenail nipper has large non-slip handles with small nippers at the end that let you reach underneath the nail or to the side of the toenail with ease. With the assistance of a toenail lifter, you should be able to make a precise cut to remove the nail. You will need to use caution with the nipper. If you cut too deeply or cut into the toenail bed, you increase the risk of injury and infection. Make sure the nipper is clean and sterilized before clipping your toenail.
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