How to Remove an Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail is annoying and often painful. Constant walking rubs the toes against socks and shoes, causing further irritation to the ingrown toenail.  If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected and cause even more discomfort.

Medically known as Onychocryptosis, an ingrown toenail can occur to anyone, at any age, although it seems to be slightly more common in males than in females. It’s one of the most common problems a person can experience with their toes.

If an ingrown toenail is causing you grievances, it’s time to learn the best way to remove it and be comfortable again.

Natural Ingrown Toenail Treatment Remedies

There are several natural remedies to treat an ingrown toenail.

Many people prefer to try these options before purchasing OTC medications or scheduling an appointment with the doctor.

If you’d like to try a natural, at-home ingrown toenail solution, the following are among the top solutions used:

Foot Wash

Soak the affected foot in warm, soapy water to keep bacteria at bay. Add Epsom salt to the water to soften the skin. Soak the foot three or four times daily.

Essential Oils

Rubbing essential oils on the ingrown toenail is an effective way to soften and soothe the skin, minimize the pain, and hopefully draw the toenail out of the skin.

Dental Floss

Use dental floss under an ingrown toenail to help shift the nail into the correct growth direction. Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows downward into the skin. Simply lift the edge of the nail containing the ingrown toenail and place the dental floss between it.

Castile Soap Wash

If you’re unable to soak your foot three or four times per day, use castile soap once per day instead. Use the soap with water to cleanse the nail bed using a soft washcloth.

Cutting an Ingrown Toenail

If you prefer to cut the ingrown toenail,  it is best that you have someone help you or schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Cutting the ingrown toenail incorrectly could make the issue worse and increase pain.

If you choose to remove the toenail yourself, follow these steps for accuracy:

Treating Your Ingrown Toenail

Carefully follow the instructions above if there is an ingrown toenail causing you grief. In a matter of a few short weeks, the issue should be resolved!  If your ingrown toenail is advanced, removing it yourself may not be impossible. Instead, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor who may recommend a surgical treatment to remove the ingrown toenail.

There are a few surgical options, including the Matrixectomy, Wedge Resection, and the Vandenbos Procedure. The doctor will determine which option is most suitable for your ingrown toenail after evaluating the specific circumstances of your case.

You Might Also Enjoy...

How to Treat a Heel Spur

Heel spur (also known as osteophytes or calcaneal spur) is a bony outgrowth at the plantar area of the foot, i.e., under the foot sole. This condition is related to calcium deposits that grow between the arch of the foot and heel.

The Most Common Types of Heel Pain

Even if you don’t spend each and every day standing up for hours on end, heel pain can be an extremely serious problem. It’s also a more common problem than many people realize.

How to Remove Warts Safely

Warts are benign, small skin growths that are caused by different kinds of human papillomaviruses (HPV). Since these viruses infect the upper skin layer, warts grow in the epidermis.

What is Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is a yellow or white spot that forms underneath a fingernail or a toenail of an infected individual. It is a common condition that people of all ages experience, though it is more commonly experienced by older adults.

How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail

Is your toe tender and swollen? If the skin is red and the edge of your toenail is not visible, you could well have an ingrown toenail. As a common foot problem which causes a dull pain, ingrown nails can grow into much larger problems.