An ingrown toenail is a common condition. This occurs when the corner of the toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe. It can result in redness, swelling, pain and, even sometimes, an infection. The most common location for an ingrown toenail to occur is the big toe. And if you suffer from diabetes or any other condition that results in poor blood flow, there is a greater risk of complications. However, the ways to get rid of it is simple enough. In order to relieve the pain and discomfort, we shall look at ways to get rid of an ingrown toenail.
Causes of an Ingrown Toenail:
The reasons an ingrown toenail can occur varies. It is possible that an ingrown toenail can be hereditary. In some cases, a person’s nail is normally more rounded than others. Or the underlying bone is “upturned” compared to normal. All these increase a chance to develop ingrown toenails. But more common causes for an ingrown toenail to occur are as follows:
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Improper trimming of the toenail.
- Nail disorders like fungal infections.
- Repeated injury or damage to the nail.
Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail:
- Tenderness and pain around the infected toenail.
- Inflammation and swelling of the infected toe area.
- Hardened skin around the side of the toenail.
- Infection of tissue in the toenail.
- Red discoloration of the toenail.
Ways to Get Rid of an Ingrown Toenail:
1.) Remove Ingrown Toenail at Home
In most cases of ingrown toenails, it is simple to remove it yourself at home. But it is important to remember not to pull out it out roughly as this can tear the skin and leave an open wound. This open wound is prone to becoming infected fast. Instead, follow these steps to safely and easily get rid of an ingrown toenail.
- First, soak your feet in warm water for 20 minutes. This will reduce swelling and tenderness. In addition, this will soften up the skin and nail, making it easier to remove.
- Then place a sterile piece of cotton or dental floss under the toenail. This will encourage the nail to grow over and above the edge of the skin. Now, place some antibiotic cream over the tender part and wrap the toe in gauze.
- Repeat these steps every day. Use fresh cotton and gauze each time. Follow this till the nail grows out long enough to cut properly.
- Consider wearing open-toe footwear till you remove the ingrown toenail.
2.) Cotton Method to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenail
This is one of the simple and easiest ways. to treat the ingrown toenail. For this, all you need to have is warm water and a cotton ball.
- First, soak your feet in the warm water. You can add Epsom salt, hydrogen peroxide or any essential oil in the warm water.
- Take a cotton ball and roll it between the fingers of the feet.
- Trim your nail then carefully lift the nail and place the cotton ball between the nail and the skin with the help of the tweezer. This will be painful to do so but is necessary to do since it will stop the further growth of the ingrown nail.
- Leave the roll in the same way. Change the role after another soak and try to push the cotton a bit to get rid of an ingrown toenail.
3.) Epsom Salt Treatment for Ingrown Toenail
This remedy involves soaking the skin in an Epsom salt bath. These salts are known to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. And so, this can be very useful to soothe pains and get rid of an ingrown toenail. In addition, the antiseptic nature of Epsom salts makes it easier to treat the wound without fear of infection.
- To prepare this bath, you will need 1/2 cup of Epsom salt crystals, a small tub, and some water.
- Heat the water till is it warm enough to soak your feet. Fill the tub halfway with the heated water and add the 1/2 cup of Epsom salt.
- Soak the foot with the infected toe for 20-30 minutes. Rinse your foot with lukewarm water.
- Alternatively, make a thick paste with Epsom salt and hot water. Apply this directly on the infected toe. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
4.) Apple Cider Vinegar to Cure Ingrown Toenail
Apple cider vinegar contains essential compounds that are useful to heal and cure many problems. It can be used to get rid of an ingrown toenail as well. In addition, this doubles as a natural disinfectant, which helps to fight infection.
- For this remedy, you will need 4-6 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar, a small tub, and warm water.
- Fill the tub halfway with water that is warm enough to soak your foot. Add the apple cider vinegar. Now, soak your foot for 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water after. Repeat this foot bath twice every day.
- Alternatively, apply the apple cider vinegar directly to the ingrown toenail with a cotton swab. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
5.) Remove Ingrown Toenail with Tea Tree Oil
Another home remedy to get rid of an ingrown toenail is to use tea tree oil. This oil will help to moisturize and soften the skin around the offending nail. This helps to reduce the pressure on the nail bed when you wear shoes. In addition, the antifungal and antibacterial properties of this oil will help combat infections. The same remedy can be sued to get rid of acne and other skin related problenms.
- For this remedy, you will need pure tea tree essential oil, cotton swabs, gauze, and a base oil like baby oil.
- Mix 3-4 drops of tea tree oil in 10 drops of baby oil. Gently rub this over the affected area.
- Cover your toe and leave it on for a few hours. Reapply thrice a day.
6.) Hydrogen Peroxide to Cure Ingrown Toenail
This treatment is very helpful to treat and get rid of an ingrown toenail. Hydrogen peroxide possesses germicidal properties. Using hydrogen peroxide will effectively cure foot fungus. Also, it helps to control the burning sensation that often follows an ingrown toenail. In addition to this, hydrogen peroxide helps to soften the skin. This makes it easy to pull out the ingrown toenail from where it is embedded in the skin.
- To prepare this treatment, you will need 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and a small tub or bucket.
- Fill the bucket halfway with warm or lukewarm water.
- Into this water, pour the 1 cup hydrogen peroxide and mix gently.
- Now soak the infected toe in this solution for 20-25 minutes.
7.) Treat Ingrown Toenail with White Flower Oil
Unlike its name, white flower oil does not come from an actual white flower. This Chinese analgesic is a blend of several essential oils and herbal and plant-based oils. Eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint oils are just a part of the base blend that makes up this herbal remedy.
- For this remedy, you will need some white flower oil, a cotton swab, sterile gauze, and a base mineral oil like olive or coconut.
- Mix together 8-10 drops of white flower oil and 15-20 drops of the base mineral oil. This is because pure white flower oil is not suitable for direct application.
- Soak the cotton swab in this mixture and apply directly on the ingrown toenail. If the ingrown toenail is infected, then apply this on the skin around the toenail.
- Wrap your toe with some gauze and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse this oil off with lukewarm water.
8.) Get Rid of an Ingrown Toenail with Alcohol
Another method to get rid of an ingrown toenail is to use alcohol. Alcohol is very effective in disinfecting and so it inhibits the growth of bacteria. It helps to prevent infections from occurring around the ingrown toenail. Use this to soften the skin of the toe, so that it becomes easy to pull out the nail.
- For this method, you will need rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, and medical tape/gauze.
- Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and place it over the ingrown nail. Secure this in place with medical tape/gauze.
- Leave this on overnight. Rinse with lukewarm water in the morning.
- Replace this with a fresh cotton ball and repeat this treatment once every night till the ingrown nail is cured.
9.) Use Pressure to Treat an Ingrown Toenail
When an ingrown toenail gets infected, the offending nail will press down on the skin creating pressure. This can further aggravate the infected skin. One way to treat and get rid of an ingrown toenail is to decrease this pressure and promote drainage. You can do this using adhesive bandages.
- For this method, you will need an adhesive bandage, like a band-aid.
- Clean your feet gently with water and soap. Dry the area thoroughly.
- Now, secure the bandage to the bottom of your toe.
- Carefully pull the skin away from where the ingrown toenail is cutting into the nail bed. When done right, this decreases the pressure and promotes the draining of any liquid buildup.
10.) Lemons to Get Rid of an Ingrown Toenail
Using lemons to get rid of an ingrown toenail is another good home remedy. Lemons are packed with natural properties that make it a good antiseptic. This citrus fruit has been used in a number of home remedies, including ways to combat toenail fungus and yellow nails. In addition, it is useful to help reduce swelling and soothe inflammation. Moreover, this is a wonderful remedy for pimples.
- To use this remedy, you will need fresh lemon juice, cotton balls, and gauze.
- Soak the cotton ball in the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Apply this directly on the infected toe and cover the soaked toe with a piece of gauze.
- Leave it overnight. In the morning, rinse your toe with cool water.
11.) Camphor to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenails
Another home remedy to get rid of an ingrown toenail is camphor. This substance is excellent to relieve pain and itching that may be caused by infections. This is because of the powerful antifungal properties present in camphor.
- For this treatment, you will need some camphor, a base oil like coconut or olive oil, cotton balls, and gauze.
- Mix the camphor and oil well together. Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture on the affected area.
- Cover your toe with a gauze and leave it overnight. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this every day till the ingrown nail is cured.
12.) Oregano Essential Oil to Treat Ingrown Toenail Fast
Oregano essential is packed with the antiseptic, antibacterial properties that help to treat the pain caused by the ingrown toenail. Moreover, it is a palliative agent that enhances the benefit of the essential oil.
- Mix oregano essential oil with any carrier oil such as olive oil and coconut oil.
- Apply this combination of oil on the affected skin. Do this at least three times a day.
- Alternatively, in a gl;ass of juice or water add a few drops of this essential oil and drink it for the speedy recovery.
13.) Antibacterial Soap for Ingrown Toenail Treatment
If you do not get any of the above remedies then simply use antibacterial soap. Nothing can work best than it. It will inhibit the growth of the bacteria. You can also use the same remedy athlete foot.
- Soak your effected foot in the warm water, slather antibacterial soap and rinse it gently.
- Dry the foot and place a cotton ball between the ingrown toenail and skin.
- Then apply a pea sice antibacetirial ointment on the nail and skin around.
- At last wrap the bandage on the effectef finger.
- Do this 2 times a day to cure an ingrown toenail fast.
14.) Vicks VapoRub to Cure an Ingrown Toenail Fast
Yes, you read that right! Vicks vaporub not only helps to treat cold, in fact, one can use this to treat the athelete foot and ingrown toenail as well.
- Apply a generous amount of this menthol based this ointment on your finger.
- Massage it and leave it. This will treat the pain and prevents any further infection or outbreak.
15. Potassium Permanganate for Ingrown Toenail Treatment
This is one of the best remedies for ingrown toenail treatment. It has an antibacterial property that inhibits the growth of the bacteria. Plus, it is a natural disinfectant that helps to keep your toe and nails clean.
- In a bucket take lukewarm water and add o.o4% potassium permanganate in the water.
- Soak your feet in the solution. Soak it for 15-20 minutes in a day.
