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This article was co-written by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Matsko is a retired physician with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Cornell’s Distinguished Leadership Award. He received his PhD from Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. He holds a Research Diploma from AMWA in 2016 and a Medical Content Writing & Editorial Certificate from the University of Chicago in 2017.
There are 14 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 3,637 times.
Ingrown toenails are not as common as ingrown toenails but are still possible, and the nail can be painful and infected. If your fingernail is ingrown, one edge of the nail will curve and pierce the soft skin around the nail. Learn how to treat an ingrown toenail to reduce discomfort and help the wound heal.
Steps
Use home remedies to treat ingrown nails
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Nail lift. In the case of mild ingrown toenails, you can lift the nail yourself. Soak your nails to soften them, then place something underneath them to separate them from the skin so that they don’t poke the skin. Try placing a small piece of gauze, cotton ball, or dental floss under the edge of the ingrown nail. [1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- If using cotton balls, take a small piece of cotton and wring it between two fingers to form a cotton stick about 1.2 cm long. The cotton swab does not need to be too thick, but thick enough for the nail to separate from the skin.
- Stick one end of a cotton swab to the side of your finger. Use your other hand to lift the corner of the ingrown nail outward. Insert the other end of the cotton swab under the corner of the nail and stick out the other side so that the cotton ball is between the skin and the nail, while lifting the nail away from the skin.
- This step can be painful and difficult to perform. Gluing a cotton ball to the side of your finger makes it easier to get it under the corner of your nail. Maybe you need someone to help you place the cotton ball.
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Use antibiotic ointment. You can dab some antibiotic ointment on your nails to prevent infection. Use a cotton swab to apply ointment to the painful area, then cover with a clean bandage. [2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- You should change the dressing and apply more ointment daily.
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Take over-the-counter pain relievers. An infected ingrown toenail can be very painful. To ease the pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for daily dosing. [3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Try acetaminophen (Tylep), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen sodium (Aleve) for pain relief.
Soak ingrown nails
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Soak your nails in warm water. You can soak your fingers in warm water for about 15-20 minutes. This will help relieve pain in the finger and reduce swelling. You can soak 3-4 times a day. [4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Dry your nails thoroughly after soaking. You should keep ingrown toenails dry at all times, except when soaking.
- After soaking your fingers, you should apply ointment or oil to your nails. You should also change the cotton or bandage after soaking.
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Use Epsom salt. Another option for treating ingrown nails is to soak your hands in Epsom salt. Pour warm water into a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per quart of water and soak your hands for 15-20 minutes. [5] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source
- Epsom salt helps reduce pain and inflammation. [6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- If you want to bandage the wound, you need to dry your finger after soaking and dressing it.
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Soak in hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is often used to fight infections. [7] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source You can soak ingrown nails in a solution of warm water mixed with hydrogen peroxide. Pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into warm water. [8] X Research Sources
- Soak your fingers for about 15-20 minutes.
- You can also dab hydrogen peroxide on a gauze or cotton ball and apply it to your nails.
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Try tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties that help heal wounds. [9] X Source of Research When soaking your nails, add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to warm water. Mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and rub it on your nails to prevent infection.
- Tea tree oil also works to make nails a little softer. You can dilute 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and apply it to your nails daily. Tea tree oil can be used as an alternative to antibiotic ointments, as you probably don’t need both. [10] X Research Source
- After the tea tree oil has absorbed, dab a little Vicks VapoRub or Menthpatum oil on the sore spot. The meth and camphor will help relieve pain and soften the nails. Use a small bandage or gauze pad to keep the menthp or camphor on the nail.
- If you’re using a cotton ball to lift your nails, you can dab a little tea tree oil on a cotton pad under your nail.
Medical treatment of ingrown toenails
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Go see a doctor. If the ingrown toenail becomes infected or doesn’t get better after 5 days, you may need to see a doctor. Your doctor can treat an ingrown toenail with topical antibiotics. [11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- If you have a deep infection in your finger, you may be prescribed oral antibiotics.
- If ingrown toenails are caused by fungus (which often happens when the condition recurs), your doctor can determine the cause and prescribe treatment.
- You should tell your doctor if: the pain around the nail gets worse, or the redness and soreness is widespread, or you are unable to flex your fingers in any joint, or you have a fever. These symptoms indicate a more serious problem.
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Do a nail lift procedure. In the case of ingrown nails without pus, the doctor can conduct a nail lift. The nail lift procedure separates the nail from the skin so that the nail grows above the skin instead of into the skin. [12] X Research Source
- Once the nail has been lifted, the doctor will place an object between the nail and the skin to separate them. Usually, the doctor will place cotton wool, dental floss, or a small stick under the nail.
- If your fingernails are seriously infected or ingrown, or you can’t lift your nails yourself, you can ask your doctor for help.
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Ingrown nail surgery. If ingrown toenails recur, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the nail. Most commonly, a doctor will perform a partial amputation. Ingrown toenails will be removed. [13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- If you’ve had part of your nail removed, you’ll have to watch as the nail grows back to make sure it doesn’t continue to grow into the skin.
- In severe cases, the entire nail bed may need to be removed with chemicals or laser therapy. However, this is rarely necessary for ingrown toenails and usually only applies to ingrown toenails.
Understanding ingrown toenails
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Recognize the symptoms of an ingrown toenail. An ingrown nail is a nail that has a curved edge and pierces the soft skin around the nail. The resulting pressure causes the area to be red, swollen, painful, and sometimes infected.
- If the ingrown toenail becomes infected, it is possible that the sore will fester and the swelling will spread down the finger.
- Ingrown nails can grow into the soft skin at both the inner and outer corners of the nail. [14] X Research Source
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Find out what causes ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails are less common than ingrown toenails; However, there are several reasons for this. Causes of ingrown toenails include: [15] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source[16] X Research Source
- Injury
- Bite nails
- Trim your nails too close or unevenly.
- Fungal infections
- Curved or thickened nails, possibly genetic, but can be a problem in the elderly
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Watch as symptoms worsen. Most cases of ingrown toenails will heal with home remedies and common medications. However, some infections can become serious. If your symptoms get worse, you need to see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. [17] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- If the fingernail is pus, the pain is increasing or the redness and pain is widespread, the finger cannot be flexed in any joint, or there is a fever, seek medical attention.
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Prevent ingrown toenails. You can prevent ingrown toenails from recurring. Do not cut your nails too close, as this can cause ingrown nails. [18] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source You should also try not to scratch or tear your nails, but rather file the rough, rough edges of your nails. [19] X Research Source
- Remember to keep your hands and nails dry. Keep nails clean.
- Check nails for signs of ingrown toenails for early treatment.
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This article was co-written by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Matsko is a retired physician with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Cornell’s Distinguished Leadership Award. He received his PhD from Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. He holds a Research Diploma from AMWA in 2016 and a Medical Content Writing & Editorial Certificate from the University of Chicago in 2017.
There are 14 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 3,637 times.
Ingrown toenails are not as common as ingrown toenails but are still possible, and the nail can be painful and infected. If your fingernail is ingrown, one edge of the nail will curve and pierce the soft skin around the nail. Learn how to treat an ingrown toenail to reduce discomfort and help the wound heal.
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