An ingrown toenail can cause a lot of pain, and cutting it inappropriately can make the situation even worse. In some cases it may become infected or require surgery for removal. If the problem is severe, don't try to cut it yourself; consult a podiatrist. If, on the other hand, you noticed it in time, here are some simple tips to cut it and prevent it from getting worse.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cutting an Ingrown Toenail
Step 1. Check the length of the nail
Cutting it too short can make the problem worse, so you may need to wait for it to grow before cutting it. If the nail is already short, wait a few days before attempting to cut it. In the meantime, you can soak your foot and use a topical pain reliever for pain relief.
Keep in mind that the nail must extend well beyond the nail bed
Step 2. Dip your feet in warm water
Soaking your feet will help soften your nails, making them easier to cut. Warm water may also help soothe some of the pain caused by ingrown toenails.
Try adding a couple of tablespoons of Epsom salt to the water. Epsom salts could relieve pain caused by ingrown toenails
Step 3. File the nail if it is already short
In some cases it is not necessary to cut the nail because it is already too short. If the nail does not go beyond the skin of the nail bed, it may be sufficient to file it.
You have to file the nail in a straight line along its entire width, avoiding filing on the sides as it could make the situation worse
Step 4. Properly trim long nails
If your nail extends beyond your fingertip, you probably need to trim it. It is very important that the cut is straight and horizontal. Avoid cutting your nails curved or at the corners to prevent the nail from ingrowing. Cutting sideways or corners is one of the causes of an ingrown toenail, so it's important to cut them straight.
- Avoid cutting your nails too short as it could grow back into the flesh;
- Also avoid cutting or digging in corners as it could make the situation worse.
Step 5. Put away tweezers and other tools
It is not a good idea to try to pry or tear off an ingrown toenail with tweezers, scissors, or other tools because they can damage the skin, which can lead to an infection.
Part 2 of 3: Treatment
Step 1. Apply a pain reliever to relieve pain
If the ingrown toenail hurts so much, apply a topical pain reliever cream. Pain relief creams do not heal the ingrown toenail, but they will help make the pain more bearable.
Step 2. Make cold packs to relieve pain and inflammation
If you are experiencing a lot of pain, cold packs may help relieve it. Wrap an ice pack with a towel and hold it on the ingrown toenail for about five to ten minutes.
Do not hold the ice for too long as it could cause damage to the skin tissues or cause chilblains. Wait for the skin to return to its normal temperature before reapplying a cold pack
Step 3. Make an appointment with a podiatrist
It is very difficult and painful to cut an ingrown toenail on your own and you could make it worse and get an infection. When ingrown toenails penetrate deep into the skin, visit a podiatrist instead of making dangerous attempts on your own.
- A podiatrist may numb the area around the ingrown toenail before intervening;
- A podiatrist could also remove the cause of the ingrown toenail and prevent further problems.
Step 4. Look out for symptoms of an infection
Ingrown toenails could become infected, and the infection can even spread to other parts of the body if not treated immediately. Call your doctor if you notice any signs of infection, which often include:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Ache
- Pus secretion
- Bad smell
- Swelling of the skin
Part 3 of 3: Prevention
Step 1. Put some cotton under the corner of your ingrown toenail
If you can lift the corner of the ingrown toenail, you may want to put some cotton or a small piece of gauze to prevent it from penetrating further into the flesh.
- You need to use your fingers to gently lift the corner of the incarnating nail. Do not overdo the use of cotton, just use enough to lift the nail from the skin.
- Change the cotton or gauze twice a day for about two weeks or until the nail looks healed.
Step 2. Wear comfortable shoes or open-toed shoes
Tight shoes or socks could cause and worsen ingrown toenails. That's why wearing comfortable or open-toed shoes could help the nail grow back to normal faster. Wear this type of footwear until the nail has healed.
Step 3. Try not to hurt your fingers
The ingrown toenail could also be caused by an injury while playing sports or a bruise. If finger injuries are the cause of your ingrown toenail, consider buying shoes with a protective steel toe.
Purchase shoes that are reinforced or have a protective steel toe
Step 4. Wash and inspect your feet every day
Keep them clean and keep an eye out for the first signs of an ingrown toenail to be able to stop its development. Try to check your feet every day, for example, when you shower or bathe.
