Ingrown toenails are painful and an unnecessary nuisance. But getting rid of an ingrown toenail doesn’t need to be painful or a nuisance.
Whether you are experiencing an ingrown toenail for the first time, or you’ve had ingrown toenails before, treating your ingrown toenail can be an easy process.
1. Get rid of your ingrown toenail with home treatments
There are several steps you can apply at the first sign of an ingrown toenail. The first sign of an ingrown toenail includes pain and tenderness around the toenail or any redness or swelling around the toenail.
- Stop wearing any tight, pointed, or heeled shoes. Pressure on the toe or toenail can prolong the healing of an ingrown toenail. And it creates more unnecessary pain. Instead, opt for open-toed shoes or shoes that provide extra wiggle room for your toes.
- Soak your feet twice a day. Softening the toenail area and removing any bacteria will help the healing process and reduce the chance of infection. Try a soak of warm water, soap or apple cider vinegar, and Epsom salt and soak for at least 20 minutes. Dry the area thoroughly after the soak.
- Use essential oils on the area. Tea tree oil kills fungus and bacteria to prevent infection. Eucalyptus oil treats inflammation to help heal the ingrown toenail quicker. Using a cotton ball or soft cloth, apply a carrier oil such as coconut oil and 2 drops of both tea tree and eucalyptus oils.
2. A podiatrist can provide quick and easy treatment to get rid of an ingrown toenail
There are reasons for seeing a professional podiatrist for your ingrown toenail. At-home podiatry visits are available if needed.
- If you don’t want to waste any time trying do it yourself home treatments and instead want to professionally treat the area immediately, see a podiatrist.
- If you have reoccurring ingrown toenails, you may need additional treatment from a podiatrist to end your reoccurring ingrown toenails for good.
- Once your ingrown toenail has gone from mild to moderate or severe, you must see a podiatrist immediately. If your ingrown toenail symptoms are getting worse—more pain, more redness or swelling, or any drainage—this means it has gone from mild to moderate or severe.
What is most important is to begin a treatment for your ingrown toenail immediately. This will begin the healing process to avoid any prolonged or additional pain and trouble.
