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How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail Infection

February 10, 2024 by admin Category: How To

You are viewing the article How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail Infection  at Tnhelearning.edu.vn you can quickly access the necessary information in the table of contents of the article below.

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This article was co-written by Mark Co, DPM. Mark Co is a podiatrist who runs a private practice in San Francisco, California. Co specializes in treating big toe deformities, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also provides chiropractic services for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle problems. Dr. Co holds a master’s degree in business administration from New York University and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. He earned his MD from the California School of Medicine, completing his residency and internship at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Co was awarded San Francisco’s “Top 3 Podiatrists” in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Co is also a member of the American Association of Departmental Medicine.

This article has been viewed 86,110 times.

Ingrown toenails can be painful, inconvenient, and worse, can easily become infected. If you have an infected ingrown toenail, you need immediate treatment to prevent further damage. [1] X Source of Research[2] X Source of Research To treat an infection with an ingrown toenail, you should soften the toenail with warm water before applying the edge of the nail and apply an antibacterial ointment directly on it infected area under the nail. This may initially work, however, it is best to see a podiatrist for proper treatment rather than treating the infection yourself at home.

Table of Contents

  • Steps
    • Treating an infected toenail
    • Avoid common misconceptions
  • Advice
  • Warning

Steps

Treating an infected toenail

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 1

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 1

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Declaim food. To relieve pain and swelling from an ingrown toenail, you should soak your ingrown toenail in warm soapy water for 10-20 minutes, 3 times daily for a period of 1-2 weeks. [3] X Research Sources[4] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source

  • Epsom salt can also help reduce pain and inflammation. Fill the tub with warm water, then add 1-2 tablespoons of Epsom salt. Put your feet in the tub and relax to let the salt water soak into your feet. Dry your feet thoroughly after soaking.
  • You can soak your feet several times a day if the pain is too intense.
  • Do not soak your feet in hot water. You should always prepare warm water to soak your feet. [5] X Research Sources
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Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 2

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 2

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Raise the edge of the toenail. To relieve pressure under the edge of the ingrown toenail, doctors often recommend gently propping the toenail. You can prop the nail up by inserting a small piece of cotton or thick dental floss under the edge of the nail. This will help pull the nail out of the skin and prevent the nail from digging into the skin again.

  • If using cotton, you can dip the cotton in an antiseptic to relieve pain and prevent infection under the nail. [6] X Research Source
  • If the toenail is infected, this can also absorb moisture that has accumulated under the toenail.
  • Make sure the thick floss you use is free of wax and flavors.
  • Do not insert a metal object under the toenail to insert cotton or floss. Inserting a metal object under the nail can cause more serious damage. [7] X Research Sources
Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 3

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 3

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Apply antibacterial ointment. Antibacterial ointments are useful when dealing with infections caused by ingrown toenails. Before applying the ointment, you should dry your feet thoroughly. Apply antibacterial cream to the entire infected area. Apply a thick layer of ointment to the infected area of the toenail. Use a large bandage to cover the toe. The toe bandage helps prevent debris from entering the wound and does not affect the ointment.

  • Use an antibiotic ointment such as neosporin. [8] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 4

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 4

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See a podiatrist. You should not treat at home for an infection caused by an ingrown toenail or other injury. See a podiatrist to be treated for an infection. If the nail infection is too severe, you may need to undergo minor surgery. However, in most cases of surgery, the doctor will give anesthesia, then only use scissors to remove the ingrown nail.

  • You may be prescribed oral antibiotics to help fight the infection. [9] X Source of Study[10] X Source of Study It is advisable to take the full dose and follow the doctor’s instructions when prescribed oral antibiotics.

Avoid common misconceptions

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 5

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 5

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Do not cut toenails. A common misconception about an ingrown toenail infection is to cut the toenail. Conversely, cutting toenails can make the infection worse. Instead, leave the nail in place and prop it up to relieve pressure.

  • Only a doctor can remove an ingrown toenail, so you should not trim your own toenails at home. [11] X Research Source[12] X Research Source
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Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 6

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 6

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Do not go deep into the toenail. Many people believe that it is possible to relieve pressure or lift the nail by digging deep under the nail. However, this will make the infection and ingrown toenail worse.

  • Avoid using tweezers, cuticle pushers, nail clippers, nail files or any metal object to handle toenails. [13] X Research Source
Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 7

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 7

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Do not squeeze infected pus. Another common myth is to use a needle to puncture pustules caused by infection. However, you should not do this because it can make the infection worse. Even a cleaned and disinfected needle can cause serious injury when poking and squeezing pus in a blistered or infected wound.

  • Avoid touching the wound with anything but cotton swabs or other dressing materials. [14] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 8

Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 8

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Do not trim your toenails in a ‘V’ shape. According to an oral folk remedy, you should cut a V shape at the tip of the infected toenail to relieve pressure, so that the toenail will heal again. However, this does not help but make the edge of the toenail more jagged. [15] X Research Source
  • Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 9

    Image titled Remove Infection from an Ingrown Toenail Step 9

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    Avoid putting anything on your toes. Don’t believe in unscientific folk remedies like rubbing charcoal on your toes to treat infections. Although some people claim this method works, charcoal will not help an infection caused by an ingrown toenail. This method even makes the situation worse. In general, you should not apply anything to your toe or infected area except antibiotic cream or bandages. [16] X Research Source
  • Advice

    • Do not squeeze infected pus from an ingrown toenail because it can make the infection worse.
    • Do not bite your toenails with your teeth. Toenail biting is very unhygienic and can affect both teeth and toenails.
    • Soaking your feet in antibacterial soap can kill harmful germs and prevent further infections. Besides, you should not bite your nails because some germs can get into your mouth and make things worse.
    • Apply Ppysporin and wrap your toe with a bandage. Ppysporin is an effective antibiotic cream.
    • Look for ways to deal with an ingrown toenail as soon as it hurts, the nail sinks in a little, or becomes red. Applying sterile cotton to the edge of the nail can be effective in most cases of ingrown toenails but will not help as the condition worsens.
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    Warning

    • People with immune problems should seek medical attention if the infection persists.
    • People with diabetes who have ingrown toenails should see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
    • Infection can be life-threatening if sepsis or sepsis occurs. You can also get a necrotic infection that causes death and tissue rotting. With gangrene, you’ll need hospitalization, surgery, or even excision to stop the infection and dead tissue from spreading.
    • Sores or numbness and tingling in the feet can be a sign of diabetes.
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    This article was co-written by Mark Co, DPM. Mark Co is a podiatrist who runs a private practice in San Francisco, California. Co specializes in treating big toe deformities, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also provides chiropractic services for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle problems. Dr. Co holds a master’s degree in business administration from New York University and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. He earned his MD from the California School of Medicine, completing his residency and internship at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Co was awarded San Francisco’s “Top 3 Podiatrists” in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Co is also a member of the American Association of Departmental Medicine.

    This article has been viewed 86,110 times.

    Ingrown toenails can be painful, inconvenient, and worse, can easily become infected. If you have an infected ingrown toenail, you need immediate treatment to prevent further damage. [1] X Source of Research[2] X Source of Research To treat an infection with an ingrown toenail, you should soften the toenail with warm water before applying the edge of the nail and apply an antibacterial ointment directly on it infected area under the nail. This may initially work, however, it is best to see a podiatrist for proper treatment rather than treating the infection yourself at home.

    Thank you for reading this post How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail Infection at Tnhelearning.edu.vn You can comment, see more related articles below and hope to help you with interesting information.

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