A nail usually becomes ingrown when it is cut too short, although there are individuals who suffer from it more frequently due to genetic predisposition (because they have a curved nail bed) or lifestyle (for example, wearing too often narrow-toed shoes or heels tall). An ingrown toenail causes pain and inflammation because the corners or sides of the nail grow under the soft tissue of the big toe, the most affected toe. Sometimes you can manage and fix this at home, partly with warm water foot baths, but in some cases, medical attention is required, especially if an infection has developed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: The Footbath
Step 1. Prepare a hot water foot bath
The goal of this treatment is twofold: to reduce pain and soften the nail to cut or lift it, so that you can find some relief from the pressure. Get a large enough container that you can fully insert your foot into and fill it with very hot water. Add some Epsom salts, as they can reduce pain and swelling. Magnesium salts also relax the foot muscles.
- Salt acts as a natural antibacterial, but to reduce the risk of infection, you can also add vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or an iodine solution to the water.
- The warmer the water, the more fluid you will be able to extract from the affected finger, thereby reducing inflammation.
- If you can find, borrow or buy a foot whirlpool, then use it for this foot bath, as the jets of water induce movement and gently massage the foot.
Step 2. Dip the affected foot and toe
When the water is warm enough and you have added Epsom salts or a natural antiseptic product, then you can soak your foot for 15-20 minutes. Depending on the results you get, you can repeat the procedure 3-5 times a day, so don't throw the water away if you plan on doing more foot baths. If you have added Epsom salts, you will notice that your feet will feel a little "dried out" after 20 minutes; this is because the fluids have been extracted from the tissues.
- During the bath, move your toes repeatedly to improve blood circulation.
- If the finger is particularly swollen, then follow the hot foot bath with cold therapy (an ice pack wrapped in a cloth) until you notice that the finger is a little numb (this will take about 10 minutes). Ice reduces inflammation and soothes pain.
Step 3. Massage your finger while it is soaking
During the foot bath, massage the inflamed tissue from time to time, gently, to reduce inflammation. Thanks to the massage you will notice that pus or blood will come out of the area; this is a good sign, as this reduces tissue pressure and pain.
- With your thumb and index finger, massage the most inflamed part of the finger, starting from the distal region, pushing towards the ankle.
- Spend about 5 minutes of the foot bath massaging your finger; if you overdo it, you may irritate the area that is already suffering.
Step 4. Dry your entire foot carefully
When you have finished the foot bath, take your foot out of the water and dry it thoroughly with a clean towel. It is very important to keep the foot dry, because bacteria and pathogenic organisms, such as fungi, prefer a warm and humid environment to reproduce and thrive.
After drying the foot and toe, lift the leg while sitting to improve venous return from the foot and thus fight inflammation
Part 2 of 3: Treating the Nail after the Foot Bath
Step 1. Apply antibiotic cream
Spread cream, ointment, or lotion on your affected finger at least twice throughout the day, especially just before bed. When the product has absorbed into the soft tissues surrounding the nail, protect the finger with sterile gauze. Remember to change the dressing every time you apply the cream.
- At home you will certainly have some products with antibiotic properties, such as diluted bleach, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, baking soda dissolved in water, iodine tincture or freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Remember that most home remedies used as antiseptics burn if the skin is not intact and the nail has already penetrated the tissues.
- Colloidal silver is a powerful antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal that does not burn or irritate the skin when applied. It can be found in most health food and organic food stores.
Step 2. Slip some cotton wool or dental floss under the nail
After soaking the foot, the nail should have softened a little and you should have no problem inserting a small piece of cotton wool, gauze or floss rolled up (clean of course). This creates a protective cushion between the nail and the sensitive tissues of the nail bed. Gently remove the inflamed skin and lift the nail with a file or other similar object, then push the material of your choice under the nail itself. Remember to change it every day.
- It will take a week or two for the nail to grow sufficiently and no longer penetrate the skin.
- Avoid "do-it-yourself" surgical procedures by cutting the nail in an attempt to find some pain relief, as it will only make the situation worse.
Step 3. Cut the nail properly
Once it has grown and its length is enough for you to use the clipper, then don't repeat the same mistake you made earlier. Cut the nail straight without trying to round the edges or smooth the corners. Do not shorten it too much, as this will damage the already suffering finger.
- If you have your nails cut by a pedicurist, ask them not to shorten them excessively and make a straight cut. As a general parameter, you should be able to insert your finger nail under the sides and end of the toenail.
- If home care and new pedicure techniques aren't enough to prevent ingrown toenails, then visit your family doctor or podiatrist for some extra advice and treatment.
Part 3 of 3: Check the Nail
Step 1. Determine the cause of the pain
If one of your big toes (or other toes) is inflamed and painful, then take off your socks or tights and check it carefully to see what is causing the discomfort. If the disorder develops slowly, worsens over the course of several days, and you are used to cutting your nails very short or are used to wearing shoes that are tight at the tip, then chances are you are dealing with an ingrown toenail. In most cases, you will be able to see the nail penetrating or pricking the soft tissues surrounding the nail bed.
- In addition to pain and swelling, typical signs of an ingrown toenail are redness and sensitivity to touch along one or both edges of the nail.
- Ingrown toenails are more common among teenage boys, especially athletes.
Step 2. Check for symptoms of infection
The most serious consequence is bacterial infection that spreads from a skin lesion along the edges of the nail. An infected ingrown toenail is much more swollen and painful, warm and firm to the touch, and usually there is a discharge of foul-smelling pus. Due to the heat and swelling, the skin peels and blisters.
- The infection causes swelling because the immune system sends white blood cells to the area to kill the bacteria, but sometimes the bacteria multiply faster than the white blood cells are able to kill.
- If the infection does not clear up within a week and you feel like it is spreading beyond your affected finger, then see your doctor.
- If you cut the nail by rounding the corners to follow the shape of the toe, you encourage the development of this disorder along the edges of the nail.
Step 3. Rule out other common causes of toe pain
There are many other painful conditions that show symptoms similar to the ingrown toenail you already know. The most prominent examples are gout (a type of inflammatory arthritis), hallux valgus (a chronic dislocation of the big toe leading to deformity of the finger), a dislocation or fracture of the finger, rheumatoid arthritis, necrosis (death of tissues due to a lack of blood), diabetic neuropathy, neuromas (benign tumors of the small nerves of the foot) and mycoses.
- A gout attack arises quickly, within hours and causes intense pain and inflammation in the big toe. This disorder is related to nutrition, particularly with excessive consumption of purine-rich foods, such as seafood and offal.
- Hallux valgus is a deforming disease of the largest toe that typically develops from the use of narrow-toed footwear for many years. Basically it is a chronic sprain of the joint. The warning signs are arthritis-like pain and a crooked big toe.
- Trauma to the toes (such as an accidental kick to a hard surface while walking) can trigger the development of the ingrown toenail.
Advice
- When taking a foot bath, add a few drops of essential oil to the water so that it can penetrate the ingrown toenail. Lavender and tea tree oil are the most effective against infections.
- Wear shoes that fit well, too much pressure on your toes can cause your nails to grow into the surrounding tissue.
- Consider replacing closed shoes with sandals or flip flops until the inflammation subsides.
- Try on shoes with the help of an experienced salesperson only in the late afternoon, when the feet are larger due to compression of the plantar arches and slight swelling.
- If your ingrown toenail has been removed by your doctor or podiatrist, it will take at least 2-4 months for it to grow back.
Warnings
- If you are diabetic, have nerve damage in your feet, poor circulation, or are immunosuppressed, then you should see your doctor first instead of trying to treat your ingrown toenail yourself.
- A localized toenail infection can progress to the deeper soft tissues (cellulitis) and even reach the bone (osteomyelitis). For this reason, see your doctor right away if the swelling gets worse or doesn't improve within a week.
