Ingrown toenails are a painful condition and it occurs when the nail grows into the skin usually seen in the big toe. The toe nail can become infected and if this happens, you should consult a doctor. There are home remedies to treat ingrown toenails as well. One remedy is soaking your feet in warm water or warm salt water for about 15 minutes twice a day. This is a way to treat the pain that results from an ingrown toenail.
You can consult a podiatrist about nail treatment and they can tell you about what you can do at home and what kind of medical treatment can be used. Make sure that you keep your foot dry at all times. If you are experiencing pain, you can take some over the counter pain relief medicine under your family doctor’s guidance. You shouldn’t try to poke or prod at the nail using sharp objects. You can try to gently pull away the skin from the nail, however. One way you can try to separate the skin and the nail is to stuff a small piece of clean wet cotton between the nail and the skin. You can also use antibiotic ointment on the area around the toe so that you can minimize the risk of infection.
You can ask your family doctor or a podiatrist about ingrown toenail remedy that will suit your case. Meanwhile, you should remember to use footwear that is comfortable for your toes. Some of the shoes you can use are those made of soft fabric. You can also go for sandals. Inspect the toenail daily to make sure that it is not infected. The signs of infection are redness, swelling, draining of pus, streaking and increased pain. If the ingrown toenail comes back or if it is showing signs of infection, you should consult a professional. You can undergo minor surgery if your podiatrist deems it wise. There are also treatment that can be done without the aid of surgery. It is very important to learn about preventing the occurrence of an ingrown toenail.
One of the things you can do is to buy properly fitting footwear so that it doesn’t put pressure on your toes. Make sure that you cut your toenails correctly in a straight line without shortening it too much. If you’re diabetic, you should be extra careful about your feet and you should examine your feet every day for any irregularities. Swift action at the first sign of an ingrown toenail will be able to prevent it from getting worse.