Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail causes an excruciating, throbbing pain. Created by the edge of a toenail that grows into the sensitive issue surrounding the toe, instead of growing outward, an ingrown toenail can quickly lead to infection if not treated properly. With proper preventative measures and quick intervention, professional medical treatment can often be averted.

Things You'll Need

• Clippers
• Cotton gauze

Instructions

1. Treat an ingrown toenail at home as long as it is not infected. Soak your feet in warm water at least 4 times a day to keep the skin around the toenail soft. Wash the affected toe twice a day with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.

2. Wear comfortable shoes that do not pinch or crowd the toes; open sandals or slippers are the best choice. Remove your shoes often while sitting at your desk if sandals or slippers are not an option.

3. Lift the corner of the nail and place a rolled section of cotton gauze under the edge until the nail grows past the affected area. Push the roll further under the nail after soaking feet in warm water. This will be painful, but may avert medical procedures to correct the problem.

4. Contact your doctor if the condition worsens or fails to improve with home care. If an infection is present your doctor may provide a splint along the side of the nail to prevent the nail from growing into the skin. These may be in the form of a cotton wick or a plastic insert. He may remove any excess tissue that has grown around the toenail.

5. Ask your doctor about surgical remedies if the condition still fails to improve. A podiatrist may choose to remove a portion of the nail to prevent further episodes with this nail or he may remove the entire nail if he feels it is necessary to prevent further problems. The podiatrist will freeze the entire toe and remove the nail in the office.

6. Prevent ingrown toenails by cutting the nail straight across with the end of the nail beyond the skin. Avoid rounded or short toe nails. Wear comfortable shoes that do not pinch the toes and keep your feet clean and dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If someone in your family has ingrown toenails, you are more likely to develop one.

• Some people have nails that are more rounded than others, which increase the chances of developing ingrown nails.