An ingrown toenail occurs when a piece of your nail grows into the skin of your toe. The nail that is stuck into your skin can become painful; redness, swelling and infection can all be the result of an ingrown toenail. Home treatment can stop ingrown toenail pain in most cases. If you cannot relieve the pain of your ingrown toenail on your own, ask your doctor for advice.
Step 1
Dissolve 2 tbsp. of Epsom salts in a basin of warm water. Soak the affected foot for 15 to 20 minutes. The American Academy of Family Physicians explains that the warm soak can help relieve pain and may also make it possible for you to remove the ingrown toenail.
Step 2
Remove the embedded piece of nail, if possible. Towel off your foot and gently use tweezers to pull the nail out of the skin. Ingrown nails that are deeply embedded into your toe may require a physician's expertise for removal.
Step 3
Stop ingrown toenail pain by giving the nail a chance to grow out from the toe, according to Dr. Archie Bedell, retired chairman of Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital Department of Family Practice. Place a piece of cotton ball between your toenail and your toe. The packing will not allow further embedding of the toenail into your skin and can alleviate the pain as the toenail grows out.
Step 4
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease the pain. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are safe for most people to use; consult your doctor if you have medication sensitivities or pre-existing medical conditions that may make these drugs unsafe for you to use.
Things You'll Need
- 2 tbsp. Epsom salts
- Basin
- Towel
- Tweezers
- Cotton balls
- Pain reliever
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