Billy was sitting on the sofa when she entered the living room. His shoe and socks were on the ground. He was looking at his big toe. Ingrown toenails are painful. Some children find the idea of visiting the doctor more bothersome than others. Combine teenagers’ independence and fear of the doctor’s office, and it’s no surprise that they wait to seek help.
Natural Treatments
There are many home remedies to ingrown toenails. Some work, some don’t. Some are the same as what a pediatrician would recommend. You can determine which home treatment is best for you once you have learned about the causes and possible remedies. Ingrown toenails occur when any part of the nail gets caught in the skin.
The skin becomes inflamed and irritated. The nail can puncture the skin or cause it to become cut by the sharp edge. An open wound can form if the toenail pokes into the skin. This can lead to bacteria and infection. The toe may become red, swollen, and very painful.
Try This!
- Warm Epsom salts are the best home remedy for ingrown nails. This can soften the skin around ingrown nails. This can reduce inflammation and pain. Sometimes, this can be enough to free the ingrown nail. Epsom salt soaks may be able to treat an ingrown nail. A high concentration of Epsom sodium can kill bacteria that causes infection. Epsom salts can also kill fibroblast cells, which are responsible for healing wounds. Epsom salt soaks can be beneficial for wound healing if there is an infection or open wound.
- Vaseline is believed to soften the nail and allow it to slide out of the ingrown nail fold, according to patients. Vaseline can soften the skin but it also traps a lot of moisture. This can lead to skin becoming too dry and brittle. The skin will become more fragile and more susceptible to bacteria causing an infection.
- A common home remedy is to place cotton under the corner. You might be able hold the nail away from the skin for long enough to allow it to calm down. This usually backfires. The cotton actually puts more pressure on the skin beneath the toenail. Cotton can also hold in moisture, which can lead to an infection.
Myth
A myth about ingrown nails is that you can cut a V-shaped nail from the middle of the toenail. To remove the ingrown nail at one side, the gap you make in the middle of your toe will gradually move in the opposite direction. This is not possible. The nail plate is extremely rigid and has little grooves that keep it from moving. It won’t help to cut a “V” in your nail.
Remember
You can remove the ingrown nail by simply cutting off the excess toenail. Although it is not recommended to attempt this at home, podiatrists warn against it as it can make the problem worse. However, it may be possible to fix the ingrown nail. You must remove every corner of the nail that is stuck. People will often try to remove the nail but only get a small part. Because there is less pressure in the nail groove, they get some relief.
The spicule is a small, sharp sliver that remains. The toe will feel better for a few more weeks, but the spicule gets longer as the nail grows. You may then trip on a curb or bump your toe against a leg. The ingrown nail will return with a vengeance.
The best way to get rid of an ingrown toenail is to massage the nail plate after you have taken a shower or bath. If it is painful, stop trying. If there is drainage, you should stop. Drainage can mean infection. An ingrown toenail can lead to infection. Any infection to the toenail requires medical attention.
Final Tip
Diabetes sufferers are more likely to get ingrown toenail infection. Ingrown toenails can also become infected if they have been getting worse over time. There is a common misconception that antibiotics can be used to treat an ingrown nail. You need to remove the ingrown nail and treat the infection. A podiatry house visit is one of the most effective home remedies. A podiatrist can be described as a foot doctor or expert on toenails. They are trained to treat ingrown toenails quickly and with minimal discomfort. Many podiatrists offer home visits for treating toenail issues. This way, Mom and little Billy don’t have to worry about having to go to the doctor.
