I know what a lot of people are thinking:
An ingrown nail on the big toe, it's not very serious.
And yet, believe me, it is not without danger!
In this article, I explain why it is very important to deal with the problem as soon as it appears.
Because a skin infection can quickly develop into paronychia.
Fortunately, there are effective home treatments to care for your foot (or hand) at home without a prescription.
Here are 8 home remedies to get rid of an ingrown toenail in just a week . Watch:
An ingrown toenail occurs when one of the edges of the nail digs into the skin around it.
More specifically, it is an abnormal depression in the flesh.
And those who know will tell you:
It's very painful.
In addition, redness and swelling appear around the affected area.
Most often, this problem affects the big toe .
Know that it is a very common condition, in both men and women.
The most common causes are:
- cutting nails too short or at an angle (too close to the intersection with the skin)
- wearing socks or shoes that are too tight
- shocks and trauma, such as hitting your toe against furniture
- repetitive strain injuries, especially in runners.
This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Soak the affected foot in a bath of warm, soapy water.
How long?
It is recommended to follow this treatment 3 times a day for 20 mins maximum .
The best is to use a 100% natural soap.
For example, Marseille soap or Aleppo soap.
Do you have Epsom salt at home?
So, add some to your footbath.
Indeed, it is also known to relieve foot pain.
It's scientifically proven.
Apple cider vinegar has powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
It is for this reason that it is one of the most frequent ingredients of grandmother's remedies.
Including to treat an ingrown toenail.
To use it, first fill a basin with lukewarm water.
Add cider vinegar:between 50 and 75 ml.
Soak your foot in this bath, 15 to 20 min per day.
After each bath, remember to carefully dry the affected foot with a clean towel.
The best thing is to do this treatment after having done a foot bath.
That way, the hot water will have softened the nail enough and it will be easier to lift.
Here, the idea is to delicately lift the rim ingrown toenail.
Afterwards, put a small piece of compress or clean cotton between the nail and the skin.
But what is the use of cotton, you ask me?
Thanks to the cotton, the nail will grow above the skin , without sinking into it.
You don't have cotton or a compress at home?
So be aware that dental floss, which is much finer, can replace cotton.
And one more thing:
To avoid the risk of infection, soak cotton (or dental floss) in alcohol before using this treatment.
To discover: 35 Uses of 70° Alcohol That Will Blow Your Mind!
Another effective treatment for getting rid of an ingrown toenail is antibiotic cream and ointment.
You don't know?
This type of cream promotes healing and helps reduce the risk of infection.
This is also known as "local antibiotics ".
And good news:
It can be found without a prescription in all pharmacies.
In addition, their use is very easy.
Apply it directly to the affected area, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Typically, it is necessary to make 3 applications per day .
Also remember to cover the affected area with a bandage after each application.
Here are some examples of cream:Fucidin Aureomycin, Neomycin, Flammazine, Mupiderm, Eryfluid, Erythrogel or Dalacine T Topic.
To discover: 11 Natural Alternatives To The Antibiotics Our Ancestors Used.
Think about it…
If your shoes are too tight, they compress your toes and prevent them from moving.
And it's the same story if your socks and stockings are too tight.
In fact, this is one of the most common causes. ingrown toenails.
No wonder!
It is for this reason that it is recommended to wear wide shoes and socks.
In other words, they must let your toe move without risk of chafing .
Do you see why?
On the one hand, it's to prevent it from getting worse.
But it's also good advice in general, to prevent it from appearing.
In fact, if you're trying to heal an ingrown toenail, it's even advisable to completely avoid shoes.
Better to wear open-toed sandals, until the pain and inflammation subsides.
To discover: 21 Super Tricks To Make Your Shoes More COMFORTABLE.
Sounds too simple, right?
However, Doliprane contains paracetamol.
And paracetamol can actually help relieve the pain caused by an ingrown toenail.
But maybe you also have swelling in your toe?
If so, better take ibuprofen.
Indeed, it relieves both the pain and swelling.
As you know, these painkillers can be purchased without a prescription.
But that goes without saying:
Never exceed the dosage recommended by the manufacturer!
To discover: 20 Natural Painkillers You Already Have in Your Kitchen.
A toe protector is basically a sleeve that you put on around your toe.
Why put a tube around the affected toe?
Basically, it acts as an anti-shock , until your toe heals completely.
In particular, it protects against the pressure exerted by your shoes.
Pretty logical, when you think about it!
Afterwards, we continue to wear it, until the disappearance of the ingrown nail.
The toe protectors are available in 2 forms:
- in the form of rings, which cover and protect the affected part of the nail, as here.
- in the form of tubes, which cover the entire toe, as here.
I warn you, this is surely the most unusual solution on this list!
Here is the principle:
The nail straightener is made of a very thin composite material.
It is clipped on the edge of the affected nail, with a thin layer of glue so that it stays in place.
And that's where the magic begins.
The nail straightener will naturally lift the edges ingrown toenail.
On the one hand, it prevents it from sinking into the skin.
And most importantly, it allows your nail to grow back straight.
There you go!
Farewell, pains, swelling and company…
You can find it in pharmacies or here on the Internet.
Here's what you need to know:
If your ingrown toenail is not infected, doctors usually do not prescribe antibiotics.
But wait…
Be aware that there are exceptions to this rule.
And be careful, if this concerns you, it is very very important!
Do you suffer from a chronic illness?
For example diabetes, heart disease, or immune system disease?
So go see a doctor without fail .
And this, even if you don't have an infection.
On the other hand, if your nail is infected , treatment with antibiotics is probably the best solution for you.
Here are the symptoms of an infected ingrown toenail:
- intense redness
- sharp, pulsating pain
- intense swelling
- discharge of pus
- warm feeling in and around the toe
- bad smell.
To discover: Introducing the Most POWERFUL Natural Antibiotic There is! It Kills Any Infection In The Body.
If none of the above remedies have been successful in making your ingrown toenail go away…
Or if, despite all the treatments, the ingrown nail keeps reappearing...
There is only one choice left:treatment by surgery.
Then, the doctor will remove the part of the nail which hurts the skin .
But don't panic!
Of course, the operation is performed under local anesthesia.
It is also a question of modifying the curvature of the nail, in order to avoid a recurrence.
Speak to your doctor and he will explain the steps to follow.
Worst thing to do?
It would be to let the condition of your nail get worse!
On the surface, an ingrown toenail seems like a minor ailment.
But in some people, it can lead to very serious complications.
I know, I'm repeating myself a bit…
But it's so important to point out!
There are certain circumstances where consulting your doctor becomes necessary, even for a mild case ingrown toenail.
I can't stress this enough…
So go see your doctor right away, if you suffer from a chronic illness such as:
- diabetes
- heart disease,
- or an immune system disease
Likewise, see your doctor if:
- the pain, redness and swelling are increasingly intense
- if the ingrown toenail persists despite home remedies
- if your skin has an allergic reaction following a treatment
- if you have any questions about the best way to treat an ingrown toenail.
Again:
Most of the time, an ingrown toenail heals very easily .
Using the home treatments above, it should be gone in about 1 week.
And this, without leaving any sequelae.
But very often, ingrown nails have the unfortunate tendency to reappear!
It is for this reason that it is also necessary to know how toavoid them. ingrown toenails.
First of all, make sure to cut your toenails properly.
And precisely, let's talk about it...
Yes, know it:
There's a right way and a wrong way to cut your nails.
Especially if you're trying to avoid ingrown toenails!
1 . Use nail scissors instead of traditional nail clippers.
First, your gesture will be more precise with scissors.
And above all, the scissors make it possible to perfectly fit the curvature of the nail .
2. Disinfect your scissors before each use.
3. Trim your nails after taking a shower or bath.
That way they will be nicely softened and easier to cut.
4. And the most important:cut them straight .
This means that you have to let the nail protrude slightly on each side.
Exactly as in the picture above.
If the edges are too short, your nails may push into the flesh.
5. Finally, use a nail file to remove small fragments that could penetrate the skin.
