Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Are there any home remedies for an ingrown toenail?

My big toe and it hurts really bad, just started and don't know what to do.Are there any home remedies for an ingrown toenail?
The 'warm, salt soak, then dig %26amp; cut' is unfortunately about your only ';home'; option. Just be sure to take an alternate combo of acetaminophen %26amp; ibuprofen beforehand. (Acetaminophen for pain, ibuprofen for swelling...) They can be taken 2 hrs. apart.


Also be certain that you dig/cut no more than necessary; you don't want to cause an infection. Keep it clean, %26amp; have some triple antibiotic ointment on hand...





Sea salt tends to work better than regular table salt for this (just d/t the composition...).








Despite a previous irresponsible, idiotic post, it will NOTjust ';clear up on it's own';. It will just grow deeper, %26amp; likely cause infection.





If the home remedy ideas don't work, I encourage you to check in w/ an MD!!Are there any home remedies for an ingrown toenail?
A dremel tool and a lot of bandaids!
This remedy is my favorite:





Get some epson salt and some really hot water and pour the salt into the water. Stick your feet in the water [you must maintain a hot temperature of the water] until they turn all wrinkly. Then, slowly massage and pull the skin away. You might need to do this several nights in a row. Trust me, it helps!
You could try to dig it out and cut it off yourself, but you are likely to make it worse once it grows back. It may clear up on it's own, but if it continues to hurt, or hurt to the point you can't walk, then go to a foot doctor. I had surgery on mine, and it was the best thing I ever did. My pain was absolutely unbearable.
Let it grow out, try not to wear shoes any more than you need to. When you cut it, cut it almost straight across (as opposed to rounded), so that the sides don't cut into your toe. Also, put a little piece of cotton in between your toenail and the toe. It will take some time, and it's painful, but there's not much else to do.
WITHOUT TREAMING THE NAIL, GET A Q-TIP, GET A SMALL PIECE OF COTTON FROM IT AND INSERT IT INTO THE AREA THAT IS RED AND SWOLLEN. TAKE 2 TYLENOLS FOR DISCONFORT AS NEEDED. DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR MOTRIM. AFTER 3 DAYS REMOVE THE PIECE OF COTTON AND TRY TO CUT THE NAIL IN A STRAIGHT FASION. TAKE CARE OF INGROWN NAILS, IT COULD TURN INTO AN AMPUTATION OF A DIGIT.
Hot salt soaks to soften the nail. Hope your pain threshold is high but the nail must be lifted and trimmed.
Besides cutting it out? Not really.


At least they have pain killers at the doctor's office.

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