Ingrown toenails is a painful condition that can lead to infection. It can be due to the entire side of toenail curling. If the nail is curling into the nailbed, it can pierce the skin. The nail can grow into the skin and cause pain and inflammation. The entire side of the toenail curling can be caused by a fungal infection. Nails that are brittle and appear yellow may have a toenail fungal infection.
Fungal infections are not the only cause of ingrown toenail. If the individual has improperly trimmed their toenails, it may have caused the nail to grow into the nailbed. A toenail that has been trimmed too short or trimmed long a curve instead of straight across may develop into an ingrown toenail.
Home treatment for ingrown toenails can help relieve the pain and encourage the nail to grow correctly. Soaking the feet in a solution of warm water and Epsom salt for twenty minutes can help reduce the inflammation. Some people prefer using an antibacterial astringent as a soak. The effected foot should be soaked at least once a day. After the soak, the foot should be dried thoroughly. The individual should take care that the foot remains dry other than when it is soaking or during bathing.
A small piece of sterile cotton or sterile gauze can be placed under the nail that is growing into the skin. This should only be done if the nail can be gently lifted from being embedded in the skin. No one should attempt to cut the skin to pry the toenail upwards. If the toenail has become firmly embedded in the skin, the individual needs to seek medical attention.
The cotton or gauze must be changed daily. Leaving the gauze or cotton under the nail for longer than twenty-four hours can lead to infection. If the home treatment for ingrown toenails fails to coax the nail to grow normally, the individual should consult a physician.
Some home remedies for ingrown toenails recommend that the person cut a V-shaped notch into the center of the nail. This will not cure an ingrown nail. Nails grow in length from the nailbed outwards, not from the inside of the nail or from the edges. If the individual has diabetes, they should not attempt any home treatments for ingrown toenails. Diabetic patients need to promptly seek medical attention for foot problems.
