Ingrown toenail home remedies. Ingrown toenail can be a really very painful condition. In severe cases, it may require surgery to treat it. The most important point is to start a remedy as soon as the nail seems to grow and curve towards the skin. This prevents further damage to the skin and the person evades serious pain. Do not let the toenail grow further or it can cause more pain.
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Ingrown toenail home remedies :
One can try these remedies to prevent this condition or reduce pain if the toenail has already pinched the nail bed.
Try to cut the ingrown toenail so that it doesn't hurt more. If you feel that the ingrown toenail can be cut using clippers, then go for it. Hold the nail at its center with clippers. Try to pull the nail up as much as you can. Then, lift the sides of the nail ( that is where the ingrown toenail most often occurs ) as much as you can with a toothpick, scissors, knife or anything. Then, use the nail clippers to cut off the nail which is extending into the skin. Firmly pull it out of the skin. Pull the skin at the sides of the nail downward so that you can get ample space to extend a toothpick across the region. If the clippers are not working in such a close range, use a pair of thin scissors. If you are unable to pull the toenail yourself out of pain, ask someone's help. There may be some bleeding from the toe after this process. Apply some antiseptic substance after washing the nail in warm water. Do not use lemon as it would pain a lot. Then, apply ice to numb the pain and try to get sleep. Do not wear shoes for a few days. In fact, wearing shoes that are tight is the major cause of ingrown toenail condition.
Remedies to relieve the pain : If the toenail condition is worse, then one cannot pull the nail out himself or herself. Then, schedule an appointment with a foot doctor. By the time, use these remedies to reduce the pain.
- Ice : It is helpful in numbing the pain of the nail piercing the skin.
- Warm salt water soothes the skin and provides temporary relief from the condition.
Some other remarkable remedies for ingrown toenail :
- Filing the nails. Take a file and scrape of the thickness of nail, not the length of the nails.Make the nail thinner in width, not shorter in length. Go as far you can without creating more pain or discomfort. Filing makes the nail thinner. Now, dip the feet in warm water mixed with Epsom salt. It softens the hair and makes it easier to be manipulated by buckling.
- V notch : Make a V notch in the center of the nail edge. The nail would try to fill this gap and the ingrown side may not grow for some days. This can be a great opportunity to prevent further growth of ingrown toenail and get some time while you meet the doctor.
