How to Remove an Ingrown Toenail

You have a nail that is growing into the skin around it - yikes! This can be very painful. Now comes the tricky part--how to take care of it. Please note that if there is any sign of an infection, you need to make an appointment with a podiatrist. Only a trained professional should ever attempt to remove a toenail. The risk of infection is too great to do this as a home remedy. This outline will help you relieve the problem and hopefully negate any future occurrences.

Things You'll Need

• Tub
• Polysporin or antibiotic cream
• Cotton balls
• White vinegar
• Epsom salts
• Rubbing alcohol/hydrogen peroxide
• Nail file/emery board

Instructions

1. Clean your toe by soaking it in salted vinegar water. Pour a couple of tablespoons of Epsom salts into warm water and then add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar. Immerse your toe/foot and soak for about 30 minutes.

2. Dry your foot. Clean the nail with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide applied to a cotton ball.

3. Place a small ball of cotton under the ingrown area and leave it there. If there is any broken skin, apply some polysporin or antibiotic cream.

4. Repeat daily until nail has grown out past the affected area. If you do not receive any relief after a couple of days, seek the assistance of a professional.

5. Don't wear any shoe that constricts or puts pressure on the toe until it's healed.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a nail file or emery board to control the length of your nails if you are at all prone to ingrown toenails. Using toe nail clippers increases the risk of trimming your nails too low on the sides, setting you up for more possible ingrowth.

• Make sure your shoes fit properly. If your ingrown toenail isn't caused by improper cutting then this is the next likely culprit (along with family history). Shoes that pinch your toes or don't allow any wiggle room can lead to ingrown toenails and other foot issues.

• This is not medical advice. If you are in pain or have an infection, call your doctor immediately.