An ingrown toenail results when the edge of your toenail grows down and into the skin around the nail. An ingrown toenail can causes redness, swelling, pain and tenderness. Ingrown toenails are usually caused by poorly fitting shoes and improper toenail trimming, according to MedlinePlus. Other causes include toenails that have a curving growth pattern, wide toenails and injuries to your toe. Your big toe is most likely to have an ingrown toenail. Inexpensive treatments can help alleviate the pain and discomfort of ingrown toenails and prevent the development of infection .
Home Treatment
An inexpensive home treatment recommended by MayoClinic.com often resolves the problem and pain of an ingrown toenail. Don't remove your ingrown toenail by cutting or digging. Soak your foot in warm water three to four times a day and massage the inflamed skin gently. Soak a piece of cotton with water or an antiseptic and place the cotton under your toenail to encourage the nail to grow correctly. Change the cotton with each soaking. You may use dental floss instead of the cotton. Keep your toe dry when not soaking. If you need to trim the affected toenail, soak your foot first and use proper trimming techniques
Splints and Braces
Your doctor may choose to use nail splinting, which is a non-surgical treatment, if you have recurring ingrown toenails. Gutter splints made of plastic tubing are used to create space between your toenail and the skin folds of your toe. The splint is held in place with an adhesive. Nail braces designed to correct ingrown toenails are made of different materials: adhesive, plastic and metal. Nail braces are attached to the toenail and prevent or correct ingrown toenails by slightly lifting the nail at the edges. Splints and braces are less expensive than surgical remedies.
Prevention
Prevent repeat ingrown toenails, and the cost of treatment, by wearing properly fitted shoes and using the correct technique to trim your toenails. MedlinePlus recommends trimming your toenails after a brief warm-water soaking and use a sharp nail trimmer. Make sure your nail trimmer is clean and trim your toenails straight across the top with no tapering or rounding at the corners. Avoid cutting your nails too short.
Tips
For ingrown toenails with pain, tenderness and redness, MayoClinic.com recommends applying an antibiotic cream to the affected area and using an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Warnings
MedlinePlus cautions against home treatment of ingrown toenails if you have diabetes, poor blood circulation in your foot, nerve damage to your foot or leg or infection around the ingrown nail. See your doctor if your ingrown toenail causes severe pain and redness and appears to be infected.
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