Buzz
When an ingrown toenail risks infection, certain symptoms manifest. These include intense pain, discharge, and an unpleasant odor. Identifying an infected ingrown toenail prompts immediate medical attention. Early intervention, such as soaking the affected area in warm saline solution, may prevent infection. Adopt preventive measures like proper nail trimming, wearing well-fitted shoes, and allowing toes to breathe post-exercise to stave off ingrown toenails in the future.
Procedures
Assessing Your Condition
Observe for heightened redness surrounding the toenail. An initial indication of an ingrown toenail is tender, reddened skin. However, a noticeable escalation in redness around the affected area suggests an advancing infection.
Be attentive to heat sensation on your skin. If an infection sets in, you may experience warmth or heat around the affected toenail. This temperature rise often accompanies a pulsating pain. Left untreated, the infection might lead to fever.
Keep an eye out for green or yellow discharge. Check for pus accumulation beneath the skin adjacent to your nail, a clear indication of infection. Foul odor may also accompany pus secretion from the infected toenail.
- An infected ingrown toenail may exhibit red skin surrounding a pale area of skin (whitish).
Seek medical attention promptly. If an infection is suspected, contacting your doctor is imperative. Diagnosis and treatment, ranging from foot soaking in warm water to antibiotic therapy or, in severe cases, ingrown toenail removal, will be administered by your doctor.
- Immediately consult your doctor or podiatrist if you have diabetes or AIDS, suffer from poor circulation, are undergoing chemotherapy, or have a weakened immune system.
- Other reasons to seek medical advice include persistent ingrown toenail issues, diabetes, compromised immune system, nerve-related conditions affecting foot sensation, or signs of infection such as pus, redness, pain, or swelling.
Treating an Uninfected Ingrown Toenail
Immerse your foot in warm water for 10 minutes. Add Epsom salts or mild soap to cleanse the area. Soaking eases pain, diminishes redness, and softens the nail and surrounding skin.
- Ensure thorough drying of the area before proceeding.
Create a small cotton or gauze roll by rolling it between your fingers. Continue rolling until it forms a thin wick. Gently push the skin away from your nail and insert the cotton roll underneath. This elevation prevents further ingrowth.
- Secure the roll in place by wrapping your toenail with medical gauze.
- This step might cause discomfort but is essential. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or Tylenol can help manage pain.
- To further prevent infection, apply a topical antibiotic such as Neosporin.
Soak your toe two to three times daily. Replace the cotton roll with each soak, gradually wedging it further each day. Repeat until your toenail extends beyond your toe's end. This process may take one to two weeks.
- If no improvement occurs or if infection arises, consult your doctor.
- You might need to wear sandals until your toe heals.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Avoid cutting toenails too short. Also, refrain from rounding the edges too much. Instead, cut straight across without trimming the corners below skin level.
Invest in well-fitted footwear. Shoes (and socks) that compress your toes can lead to ingrown toenails. Ensure your toes can move freely in your shoes. If not, consider new footwear.
- Tight shoes like high heels and pointed-toe styles are common culprits of ingrown toenails.
Allow air circulation for your toes. Individuals engaged in frequent exercise or sports, particularly those involving foot stress like soccer and ballet, are susceptible to ingrown toenails. Following such activities, remove shoes and socks, allowing one to two hours for toe exposure. Opt for sandals or barefoot walking for ventilation.
- Additionally, thorough cleansing and drying of toes and feet post-physical exertion may lower ingrown toenail risks.
- Choosing cotton socks over synthetic materials aids better toe and foot ventilation.
