How to treat an ingrown toenail the easy way

How to treat ingrown toenails simply and quickly. In addition, a slightly ingrown toenail can be treated by trying to lift the corner of the ingrown toenail, inserting a small piece of cotton or gauze between the nail and the skin, so that the nail detaches from the skin and clears it.

However, when the area around the nail becomes very red, swollen, and pus-filled, the problem may require using a doctor-prescribed antibiotic ointment, such as Nebacetin or Diprogenta.

A pedicure or podiatrist will be able to clear the nail by cutting the edges of the ingrown toenail with a scalpel, fine straight-edge scissors or pliers, but in some cases minor surgery may be necessary to clear the nail.

To treat slightly ingrown and inflamed toenail at home, it is recommended:

• Soak the foot or hand with the ingrown toenail in a basin of warm or hot water for about 20 minutes;
• Try to lift the corner of the ingrown toenail with tweezers and place a floss, piece of cotton or gauze between the nail and the skin to keep it elevated, changing daily after leaving your finger in hot water for 20 minutes. This procedure is ideal for when the nail is mildly ingrown but not yet inflamed;
• Apply some antiseptic and healing solution such as Povidone, for example, to help with healing and prevent the region from becoming infected.

If necessary, to relieve pain when trying to lift the inflamed ingrown toenail, an anesthetic ointment such as lidocaine can be applied to the site. After placing the cotton or gauze, if the individual continues to have pain, they can take an analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicine such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, for example.

If the nail is very ingrown, inflamed or with pus and it is not possible to walk normally, or try to release the nail from the skin, you should look for a podiatrist, nurse or dermatologist to remove the nail. Thus, the procedure can be done correctly and without the risk of aggravation such as entry of bacteria, for example.

In case of an ingrown toenail, the ingrown part of the nail should not be cut; cut the nail in a “v”, or put on a tight bandage. These measures only make the ingrown toenail worse and increase the risk of the toenail ingrown again.

How to treat an ingrown toenail with pus:  An ingrown toenail with pus should be seen by a dermatologist, as in these cases, it is usually necessary to use antibiotic ointments to put on the nail and treat the infection, before cutting the nail.

Even with the use of antibiotic ointment, treatment for an ingrown toenail with pus usually includes lifting the nail and placing some cotton or gauze, but some doctors may prefer to cut the corners of the nail, removing the pieces of nail that have become embedded in the skin;

To prevent ingrown toenails, cut them straight, both on the top and on the sides of the nail. In addition, you should also avoid wearing shoes that are too tight, change socks daily, as this prevents the proliferation of microorganisms.