How to Relieve Pain from Ingrown Toenails

This article will guide you through various methods to ease the pain from ingrown toenails. On the other hand, you should seek medical care if the symptoms do not improve after 2-3 weeks.

Soak your feet in warm water. Use a large bowl or bathtub to soak your feet. This will help reduce swelling and pain. Soak for 15 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.

• Add Epsom salt to the water. Epsom salt is well-known for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps soften the toenail. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to the water-filled bathtub or foot soak tub.
• If Epsom salt is unavailable, you can use regular salt. Saltwater helps prevent bacterial growth at the site of the ingrown toenail.
• Gently massage your toes. This will allow the water to penetrate deeper into the ingrown toenail, removing bacteria and reducing swelling and pain.

Use cotton or dental floss to gently lift the edge of the nail. After soaking, your toenail becomes softer, allowing you to carefully lift the nail's edge with clean dental floss. Be cautious not to push the nail deeper into the skin.

• Try this method every time you soak your feet. Use a fresh piece of clean dental floss each time.
• Depending on the severity of the ingrown toenail, this may cause discomfort. Taking pain relievers can help ease this discomfort.
• Do not insert the floss too deep into the nail. This can worsen the infection and may require medical attention.

Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain medications can help alleviate discomfort. You can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or aspirin. NSAIDs help reduce both pain and inflammation.

• If you can't take NSAIDs, acetaminophen is another option.

Try using topical antibiotic ointment. Antibiotic ointments help prevent infection and are available at pharmacies.

• Some antibiotic ointments may contain local anesthetics like Lidocaine, which can temporarily relieve pain.
• Be sure to follow the instructions on the product packaging.

Bandage to protect the toe. To prevent further infection or irritation from socks, wrap the toe with a bandage or gauze for protection.

Wear open-toed sandals or loose shoes. Opt for open-toed sandals or loose shoes to give your feet extra space and comfort.

• Wearing tight shoes can worsen the ingrown toenail or make the condition more severe.

Consider using homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy is an alternative treatment using herbs and other natural ingredients to address various health issues. To relieve pain from ingrown toenails, you may try one or more of the following homeopathic remedies:

• Plantago, Silicea Terra, Nitric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Aluminium, Kali Carb, Graphites, Magnetis Polus Australis, Thuja, Causticum, Natrum Mur.

Soak your feet for 15 minutes. Soaking your feet in warm water mixed with Epsom salt for 15 minutes can help soften the toenail and make it easier to pull it away from the skin.

Lift the toenail away from the skin. Gently pull back the skin around the toenail to expose the edge of the nail. Use a piece of dental floss or a nail file to lift the edge of the nail away from the skin. You may need to start from one side of the non-ingrown nail. Push the floss or file towards the edge of the nail.

• Sanitize the nail file with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide before use.

Disinfect the toe. While lifting the toenail from the skin, you can apply a small amount of clean water, rubbing alcohol, or antiseptic solution under the nail. This helps prevent bacteria from accumulating beneath the nail.

Insert gauze under the edge of the nail. Take a small, clean piece of gauze and gently insert it underneath the lifted edge of the toenail. The purpose is to prevent the nail from touching the skin, allowing it to grow without piercing the skin, thus preventing ingrown nails.

Apply antibiotic ointment around the nail. After inserting the gauze under the nail, apply antibiotic ointment around the nail. You may choose an ointment containing Lidocaine, which provides mild local numbing effects.

Bandage the toe. Wrap a strip of gauze around the toenail. Alternatively, you can use a bandage or a toe sock designed to cover and separate the ingrown toe from the other toes.

Repeat the process daily. Follow this method daily to help heal the ingrown toenail. As the toe heals, the pain and swelling caused by the ingrown nail will subside.

• It is recommended to change the gauze daily to prevent bacteria from infiltrating the toenail.

Seek medical attention after 2-3 days. If home treatments don’t relieve the ingrown toenail after 2-3 days, it's advisable to see a doctor. Patients with diabetes or nerve-related issues should seek immediate care and consider visiting a podiatrist.

• If you notice red streaks coming from the ingrown nail, you should get medical help right away as it could signal a severe infection.
• If pus appears near the ingrown toenail, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Discuss symptoms with your doctor. Your doctor will ask when the toenail started growing inward, when swelling, redness, or pain began, and whether you’ve had other symptoms like fever. It’s important to provide a complete account of your symptoms to the doctor.

• Your doctor can help with the treatment of your ingrown toenail, but in cases of severe complications or recurring issues, visiting a podiatrist is recommended.

Request an antibiotic prescription. If the toenail becomes infected, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or a topical ointment. These antibiotics will help prevent further infection and stop bacteria from entering beneath the nail.

Let the doctor try lifting the nail. The doctor may attempt the least invasive procedure of lifting the nail away from the skin. If successful, they will place gauze or cotton under the nail.

• The doctor will show you how to change the gauze daily. Always follow the doctor's instructions to ensure the nail heals properly.

Ask the doctor about partial nail removal. If the ingrown toenail is infected or embedded deeply in the skin, the doctor may suggest partial nail removal. The doctor will administer a local anesthetic and cut along the edge of the nail to remove the ingrown portion.

• The toenail will regrow in 2-4 months. While some patients worry about the appearance of the nail afterward, rest assured that it will grow back neatly and more attractively.
• While the procedure might seem significant, it actually relieves pressure, irritation, and pain caused by the ingrown toenail.

Consider permanent nail removal. If the ingrown toenail recurs, you may want to consider permanently removing part of the nail. During this procedure, the doctor will remove a portion of the nail along with the underlying nail bed. This will help prevent the ingrown toenail from coming back.

• The procedure can be performed using laser, chemicals, electrical currents, or other surgical methods.

Cut your nails properly. Many cases of ingrown toenails are caused by improper nail trimming. You should trim your nails straight across, keeping the edges neat and avoiding cutting around the corners.

• Use sterilized nail clippers.
• Avoid cutting your nails too short. You can leave them slightly longer to prevent them from growing inward and piercing the skin.

Visit a foot care specialist. If you're unable to trim your nails yourself, you can seek help at a specialized medical facility. Look for hospitals or health centers that offer routine toenail trimming services.

Avoid tight shoes. Tight footwear can increase the risk of ingrown toenails. Shoes that put pressure on the sides of your toes can force the nail to grow incorrectly.

Foot protection. Wear safety shoes when participating in activities that may lead to injuries to your feet or toes. For example, wearing specialized shoes when visiting a construction site.

Seek assistance for ingrown toenails in diabetic patients. Diabetics often experience numbness in their feet. If you cut your toenails by yourself, you might unintentionally injure your toes without realizing it. Therefore, you should visit a clinic or ask someone to trim your toenails for you.

• Furthermore, it is recommended to have regular check-ups with a podiatrist if you have diabetes or conditions that might cause nerve damage.

Look for signs of swelling in your toes. Ingrown toenails often cause small swelling near the nail. Compare the affected toe with the corresponding toe on the other foot to see if the swelling is larger than usual.

Gently press to see if there’s pain or sensitivity. The skin around the nail may feel softer or more painful when touched or pressed. You can use your finger to lightly press the area where discomfort occurs or use a toenail trimming tool.

• Ingrown toenails may contain a bit of pus.

Examine the swelling around your nail. When a toenail grows inward, the skin along its edge may cover the nail. Alternatively, the nail may appear to grow beneath the surrounding skin. You might also find it difficult to identify the upper corner of the nail.

Take note of health concerns. In most situations, ingrown toenails can be treated at home. However, if you have diabetes or other health issues that affect your nerves, it's best to seek medical attention rather than attempt self-treatment.

• If you have nerve damage or poor circulation in the legs or feet, it’s essential to consult a doctor immediately to assess the ingrown toenail.

Consult with a healthcare professional. If you're uncertain whether you have an ingrown toenail, it's wise to visit a doctor. They will diagnose the condition and suggest the appropriate treatment.

• If the situation is serious, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in foot care.

Don’t let the issue with your toe escalate. If you suspect an ingrown toenail, begin treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, the toenail may lead to more severe issues, like infection.

• See a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than 2-3 days.