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Ingrown toenails, despite their small size, inflict excruciating pain. They occur when a toenail's edge grows inward, piercing the delicate skin around the toe. This leads to discomfort, swelling, redness, and potential infection. Ingrown toenails typically develop on the soft skin at the inner or outer corners of the nail.
Procedures
Identifying Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail
Distinguish between ingrown toenails and fungal infections. Onychocryptosis, or ingrown toenails, can result from various factors like trauma, tight footwear, or improper nail trimming. Conversely, onychomycosis, a toenail fungus, can distort nail growth, leading to ingrown nails.
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is another fungal condition affecting toenails, characterized by discoloration, spotting, or yellow debris beneath the nail surface.
- Eczema or psoriasis affecting the nails can induce peeling, thickening, or irregularities. Consult a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Blackened toenails may indicate trauma or, in severe cases, melanoma or skin cancer. Prompt medical attention is essential for unexplained blackening.
Inspect Your Toe Closely. Look for redness, tenderness, and swelling around the sides of your toenail. Drainage of yellowish fluid may indicate early infection or inflammation in response to toenail irritation.
Evaluate Toenail Sensitivity. Note swelling, redness, and tenderness, especially around the toenail area. Hardened skin and toenail curving into the toe corner are signs of discomfort. Yellow discharge may indicate localized crustiness.
- Crusty discharge suggests nail irritation.
Identify Infection Indicators. Watch for worsening symptoms or self-treatment consequences leading to infection. Signs of infection include:
- Increased pain, tenderness, and swelling.
- Pus or yellow discharge beneath the nail or skin.
- Elevated skin or nail temperature.
- Red streaks or spreading redness.
Seek Medical Attention for Infections. Consult a doctor if infection is suspected, especially with underlying health conditions like diabetes. Treatment options may include:
- Nail lifting with cotton insertion for guided growth.
- Partial nail removal under local anesthesia.
- Surgical intervention for recurrent cases.
Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails
Soak Your Foot in Warm Water. Prevent infection and soften the ingrown toenail by soaking your foot. Apply two drops of tea tree oil to the nail.
- Allow the tea tree oil to penetrate, then conclude with a dab of Vick's VapoRub or Mentholatum on the ingrown toenail. The menthol and camphor will alleviate pain and further soften the nail.
- Cover the toenail with a bandage or small gauze piece to retain the menthol and camphor.
Lift the Ingrown Nail with Cotton. After a 20-minute foot soak the next day, prepare a small piece of cotton. Roll it into a ½-inch cotton 'tube' between your fingers.
- With clean hands, tape one end of the cotton tube to the top of your toe. Use one finger to lift the ingrown toenail's corner and the other to guide the cotton tube under the nail, ensuring it sits between the skin and nail.
- Note: This process may be painful, requiring assistance to slide the cotton tube under the nail corner.
Regularly Replace the Cotton. After each foot soak, replace the cotton while applying tea tree oil and menthol-camphor ointment to maintain nail softness and prevent infection. Apply tea tree oil to the cotton tube.
- Avoid using nail files, tweezers, or nail cutters to prevent skin damage and potential infection.
- Opt for white cotton socks to minimize dye-related inflammation.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Opt for Open-Toed Footwear. Choose comfortable shoes with no or low heels. In hazardous environments, wear protective footwear to safeguard your toes.
Trim Your Toenails Straight Across. Avoid cutting them to match the toe's curvature to prevent ingrown toenails. Maintain a moderate length to minimize risks.
Regularly Soak Your Feet. Submerge them in warm water for 10–15 minutes, 2–3 times weekly. Soften toenails and enhance flexibility, reducing the likelihood of ingrown toenails.
- Enhance the foot bath with two tablespoons of Epsom salts or Domeboro Astringent solution, available at most drugstores.
