Try An Over-The-Counter Product
There are a variety of nonprescription products that may soften the nail and the skin around it. Many of them include anti-inflammatory agents, such as tea tree oil, menthol, and other botanicals, says Wilma Bergfeld, MD. Other over-the-counter products contain chemicals, such as salicylic acid, to soften the nail plate and relieve the pain. Dr. Scholl’s Ingrown Toenail Relief Strips and Outgro Solution are two products that may help treat your ingrown toenail. Make sure you read and follow all of the directions to the letter. Don’t use them if you have diabetes, impaired circulation, or an infection. MORE: 5 Reasons Your Feet Hurt—And Solutions That’ll Have You Walking Comfortable In No Time
Get A Wisp Of Relief
Your mission is to help that embedded toenail grow out over the skin folds at its side. Start by soaking your foot in warm water to soften the nail (add 1 teaspoon of table salt for every pint of water). Dry carefully, then gently insert a wisp (not a wad) of sterile cotton beneath the burrowing edge of the nail. The cotton will slightly lift the nail so that it can grow past the sore skin. Apply an antiseptic as a safeguard against infection. Be sure to change the cotton insert daily until the nail has grown past the trouble spot. Remember: V IS not for victory. Whatever you do, don’t fall for that old wives’ tale about cutting a V-shaped wedge out of the center of the nail. People think that an ingrown nail is too big and that if you take a wedge from the middle, the sides will grow toward the center and away from the ingrown edge. However, that’s simply not true. All nails grow from back to front.
Let Your Toes Breathe
Simply put, ill-fitting footwear can cause an ingrown nail, especially if your nails tend to curve. This is why you should avoid pointed or tight shoes that press on toenails. Opt instead for sandals, where appropriate, or wide-toed shoes. If necessary, modify offending shoes by cutting out the portion that presses on your toe. That may seem a little drastic, but a badly ingrown nail will put you in a drastic mood. Likewise, stay away from tight socks and panty hose. (Get advice in our sneaker buying guide.)
Stay On Your Toes While Shoe Shopping
Buying properly fitted shoes can spare you from toenail woes. Keep these feet-friendly guidelines in mind: Shop in the PM hours when feet are at their largest. Shoes that are purchased in the morning when your feet aren’t swollen may be too tight later in the day. Wear soft absorbent socks to allow for a roomy, comfortable fit. Opt for shoes made of breathable material, such as canvas or leather. Choose a shock-absorbent sole to reduce pressure on the toes. MORE: 7 Ways To Keep Your Toenails From Falling Off When You Start Running
Cut Nails With Precision
Never cut your nails too short. Soften them first in warm water to reduce possible splitting, then cut straight across with a substantial, sharp, straight-edged clipper. Never cut a nail in an oval shape, which causes the leading edge to curve down into the skin at the sides. Always leave the outside edges parallel to the skin. And don’t trim the nail any deeper than the tip of the toe; you want it toenail long enough to protect the toe from pressure and friction. If your nails are thick and difficult to cut properly, apply a cream that contains urea or lactic acid. (Your pharmacist can recommend one.) These ingredients make the nail softer and easier to trim. (Try this 7-minute DIY pedicure for pretty feet.)
Fix Mistakes Properly
If you accidentally cut or break a nail too short, carefully smooth it with an emery board or nail file at the edges so that no sharp points are left to penetrate the skin. Don’t be tempted to use scissors, no matter how small. There is simply not enough space for you to work them properly, and they often leave a sharp edge.
Protect Your Toenails From Accidents
While ingrown nails come mostly from improper cutting, they can also result from any number of accidents. Stubbing your toe is one cause. Dropping a heavy object on your toe is yet another. Wear stout, comfortable shoes for housework. If you constantly handle heavy objects, such as machinery and crates at work, protect your toes with work shoes that have steel toeboxes.
When To Call A Doctor For Ingrown Toenails
If your toe becomes infected, you need to see a doctor. Signs to look for include swelling, redness, pain, and warmth when touched. Pus-filled blisters may also form. The doctor will most likely treat your infection with soaks, removal of infected skin, and antibiotics, says Bergfeld. Letting an ingrown nail get out of control spells serious trouble. If you have poor circulation, a nail infection can ultimately lead to gangrene. Sometimes a bloody growth, called proud flesh, builds up on the side of the nail. This inflamed soft tissue can become quite sensitive when it extends into the nail groove. Doctors may cut away a small portion of the ingrown nail during a minor operation and prescribe antibiotics to fight infection.
Panel Of Advisors
Wilma Bergfeld, MD, is a senior dermatologist in the departments of dermatology and pathology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
