How to Repair and Prevent Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the skin, often causing infection. They are frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but also by shoe pressure if your shoes are too tight or by an injury to the nail. Ingrown nails may not show symptoms at first, but when pressure is applied to the area, it feels painful.It can become hard, swollen and tender. If left unattended, they may become red and infected. Your skin may start to grow over the ingrown toenail. In some severe cases, you may even find yourself in a doctor’s office scheduling an outpatient operation to repair the damage and this can get costly. If the toenail area starts to become tender, don’t wait until it becomes infected.
Try these easy steps to repair that painful toenail and prevent it from happening again:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal Nailfiler
• Tissue, Cotton Ball or Dental Floss
• Antiseptic Ointment Cream
• Basin or Footbath
• Salt

1. 
    
   Soak Your Feet

   Soak your feet in a basin or tub with warm water (just enough to cover your feet) and one tablespoon of salt for about 15 minutes. Then dry your foot thoroughly.

2. 
    
   Use A Metal Nailfiler

   Sterilize either a pointed nailfile (a metal one works best) or nail cleaner on your nail clippers.

3. 
    
   Use A Piece of Tissue

   Take a very small piece of tissue paper (or a small amount of a cotton ball or small piece of dental floss) and gently push it under the nail as far as it will go between the nail and the skin. This might hurt a little, but it is important to get it under the nail where it is starting to grow into the skin. I have found that tissue paper works best for me and is easier to see and handle.

4. 
    
   Apply Antiseptic Ointment

   To help prevent infection, keep the area clean and apply some antiseptic ointment twice a day. When the nail starts to grow out, it won’t grow into the skin again. Instead, it will grow over the tissue paper.

5. 
    
   Trim Your Nails Straight Across

   To avoid another ingrown toenail, your toenails should be trimmed straight across, slightly longer than the end of the toe, with toenail clippers. Avoid tapering the corners so that the nail curves with the shape of your toe. If you curve your nail, then the sides of the nail will curl down and dig into your skin causing another ingrown toenail.

6. 
    
   Avoid Tight Shoes

   Shoes that are too tight or too short also may cause ingrown toenails, especially high heal shoes. A good way to measure the right shoe size is to put on the shoe you're thinking about purchasing. Press one thumb at the top of your big toe. Your thumb should have enough room between your toe and the shoe. If there is enough room, then the shoe is the proper size.

7. 
    
   Keep Them Clean

   Taking good care of your feet and toenails will prevent future problems, so keep them clean.

Tips & Warnings

• Whether you use tissue paper, a piece of a cotton ball or a piece of dental floss, don't worry; it won't grow into your skin.
• Keep an eye on your toenail to ensure it isn't getting infected.
• If you have tried all of the helpful tips above and your toe gets worse, see your physician.

[jimdris]

on 11/13/2008 Great advice!