An ingrown toenail occurs when the hard corner of the nail grows into the surrounding tissue. It can range from a slightly sore, red corner to a toe that's so sore you can hardly walk. Though ingrown toenails are common, they are also treatable at home. See your doctor, however, if your toe is so badly swollen that you can't walk, as she may need to perform a procedure to treat the nail.
Step 1
Soak your foot for 10 to 15 minutes in warm water. Soaking makes the toe easier to work with as it helps mitigate any swelling. Soak your feet two to three times each day, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Pull the affected tissue away from the toe while soaking. You don't need to dig or try to completely free the nail. Simply pulling the tissue away helps relieve the pressure and free the nail.
Step 3
Place a cotton ball under the nail and apply topical antibiotic at the ingrown area after soaking. The Mayo Clinic suggests pushing the cotton ball and topical antibiotic beneath the nail material to help guide nail growth. If the ingrown area is particularly tender, wrap the toe with surgical tape after pulling the tissue back. Wrapping with tape also minimizes the pain of the ingrown nail.
Step 4
Wear an open-toed sandal or a square-toed shoe for a week or two until the ingrown nail has improved. Avoid tight shoes; they place pressure on the toe with the ingrown nail, making it difficult to heal.
Step 5
Change the bandage each time you soak your foot to avoid additional infection.
Tips and Warnings
- Take some acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. If the ingrown area is very sore, take the pain reliever a half hour prior to soaking your toe and changing the bandage.
Things You'll Need
- Surgical tape
- Cotton ball
- Topical antibiotic
- Pain reliever
- Warm water
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