Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail can occur when a sharp edge of the toenail begins to grow into the skin at the margin of the toenail, pushing its way into the skin at the side of the toe.

Many times ingrown toenails end up with a visit, or visits to a podiatrist's office.

The video in the link below, is narrated by a podiatrist and explains how an ingrown toenail typically develops and how to best address it.

There are also a number of in home remedies that can be helpful during the early stages, but the earlier the intervention, the better chances are for success. If you have diabetes, that complicates matters and you very well may be better off going straight to a podiatrist ASAP.

The most significant cause of an ingrown toenail is improper toenail trimming. When cutting your nails, avoid angling or rounding off the nail edge. Instead, make sure you cut them straight across. Also avoid cutting them too short.

Wearing tight toed shoes for long periods of time is also a major cause. Sideways pressure on the toes and the nails from poor-fitting shoes, combined with the moisture from sweat, is a recipe for ingrown toenails.

In the early stages, redness around the affected toenail along with pain is common. As time goes on, the pain will worsen as the inflammation progresses, sometimes into an infection. Eventually, the area may bleed and/or pus may begin to form. In serious cases, you may develop a fever.

Most of the home remedies involve soaking your feet on a regular basis to soften the area and promote healing. A number of all-natural remedies can also be topically applied to address the infection.

Soak your feet for about 15 to 20 minutes, anywhere from four times a week to twice daily and make sure to thoroughly dry your feet afterward. The soak should be warm, but don't burn yourself.

The water should contain:

• Mild soap
• Epsom salt (use about 1 tablespoon for a small tub of warm water)
• Hydrogen peroxide (use about one-half cup for a small tub of warm water)
• Apple cider vinegar (use about one-half cup for a small tub of warm water)

For topical application, the following items can be helpful to address infection and pain:

• Vicks VapoRub: apply directly to the affected area to relieve pain and speed healing
• White Flower oil: made from several herbs, this oil has analgesic properties and is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Apply a few drops to the affected area
• Oregano essential oil: its antibacterial and antiseptic activity makes it a helpful pain reliever. However, it's a strong skin irritant, so be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil or plain olive oil before applying it to the affected area
• Lemon: cut a thin slice of lemon and secure it around the affected toe with a bandage. Leave overnight to speed healing
• Turmeric paste: To make the paste, mix one-half teaspoon of turmeric powder with a few drops of mustard oil. Apply the paste on the affected area and cover with a bandage. Repeat two or three times a day for several days

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