An ingrown toenail is a painful reminder of a toenail cut improperly. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons explains that toenails cut either too short or with tapered corners may grow into the sides of your skin. When this happens, the penetration can become painful, causing slight inflammation and infection. Outgrowing an ingrown toenail and avoiding complications requires daily attention and cleaning. Treated properly, most symptoms associated with the condition resolve within two to three days.
Step 1
Soak the foot with the ingrown toenail in warm water containing a squirt of antibacterial soap for 15 to 20 minutes. This will soften the skin around your ingrown toenail.
Step 2
Remove your foot from the water and pat dry with an absorbent towel. Saturate a small piece of cotton ball with warm water. Pull the skin away from your toenail using the fingers of one hand, while slipping the piece of cotton under the ingrown toenail with the fingers of your other hand.
Step 3
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the affected area of toenail. A pea-sized amount applied with your fingertips should suffice. Wrap a sterile bandage such as a piece of gauze or large band-aid around your toe.
Step 4
Replace the cotton and bandage daily after soaking, until the toenail has grown enough that it can no longer penetrate the skin of your toe. The corner of the ingrown toenail should be visible to you at all times while propped with the piece of wet cotton ball.
Step 5
Cut the toenail once the corner grows past the flap of skin at the corner of your toe. Cut the top of your toenail straight across, flat and even with the skin line underneath, using a pair of toenail clippers. Cutting straight across will prevent the corners of the toenail from growing into the skin.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear open toe or loose fitting shoes while the ingrown toenail is growing out. Tight fitting shoes will squeeze your toes together making the condition more painful.
- If you notice signs of infection or if your ingrown toenail does not appear to be healing, seek medical attention. Signs of infection are increased pain, redness and inflammation.
Things You'll Need
- Foot bath
- Antibacterial soap
- Cotton balls
- Antibiotic ointment
- Toenail clippers
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