Removing an ingrown toenail painlessly is possible. An ingrown toenail is a common foot issue., it develops when the nail edge digs into the skin. This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling and warmth in the toe. For some people, an ingrown toenail was a one-and-done problem. For others ingrown toenails are a constant struggle. According to statistics, 18% of US adults have experienced it at least once in their lives. It’s important to know how to remove an ingrown toenail painlessly as soon as they start in order to prevent infection and to keep it from getting worse.
Improper shoe gear and toe injuries are frequently associated with ingrown toenails. Athletes also commonly suffer from ingrown toenails. Incorrect nail-cutting technique and trauma sustained by the foot can cause ingrown toenails.If you have sweaty feet, then the skin around your toenails can be soft making it easier for your nail to pierce it and embed itself within it. It is not unusual for an ingrown toenail to recur unless treated appropriately. It is not unusual for an ingrown toenail to recur unless treated appropriately.
Often a recurring problem, there are a number of risk factors that increase the odds of one experiencing an ingrown toenail. Specific conditions can also make it more likely to develop an ingrown toenail, such as having diabetes, being obese, arthritis and fungal infections. Fortunately, when caught in the early stages, an ingrown toenail can be corrected at home, but if an infection develops, a physician should be consulted. People with ingrown toenails usually try different remedies before they finally find something that works best for them.
There are a number of home remedies to remove an ingrown toenail painlessly. Keep in mind that not all remedies have the same effect on people.
1. Salt Soak
A salt bath can sometimes do the to remove an ingrown toenail painlessly. Soak your feet in warm water with salt for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this at least twice per day. If your foot is not infected, allowing the toe to grow out before you trim it properly in a straight line across the top. However, if you’re experiencing pain or swelling, you can cut the nail down and apply an antibiotic ointment before bandaging it.
2. Cotton
Another way to remove an ingrown toenail painlessly is to stuff cotton between the ingrown nail and skin. It creates a barrier between the nail and skin. It allows the nail edge to grow away from the skin and relieve pain.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide makes your skin soft and it gets easy for you to cut the nail. Hydrogen peroxide has antiseptic properties that can relieve pain. This home remedy will prevent the further infection in the toenail. Add hydrogen peroxide to foot soak, when nail is soft trim it properly in a straight line across the top.
4. Dental Floss
You can remove an ingrown toenail painlessly bu putting a piece of dental floss underneath its ingrown nail’s edge, to redirect its growth pattern. All you need to do is snip off the ends of the floss. This method is helpful in alleviating pain because it separates the nail from the impacted area.
5. Essential Oils
Several essential oils have shown the ability to reduce inflammation and pain. Tea tree, lavender, or clove oil can help with the ingrown toenail pain and swelling. Take a cotton swap and apply it all over the affected part. Tea tree and lavender oil help due to their antimicrobial properties, whereas clove is an analgesic and provides pain relief. Then focus on cutting the nail properly in a straight line across the top.
6. The V Cut
Try to cut a “V” on the center part of the nail. Cutting a notch (a “V”) in the nail will reduce the tendency for the nail to curve downward. This will help direct the nail into growing back together with the middle, going away from the edges that are cutting into your skin. Repeated trimming of the nail borders is a good way to treat ingrown toenails.
7. Taping
Taping a band-aid to the bottom of your toe to pull the skin away from the location where the nail is cutting into the nail bed is a great way to remove an ingrown toenail painlessly. The trick is to move the skin away from the offending nail with the help of a band-aid. This can decrease pressure in the area, and if done properly, can promote drainage and drying.
Wear open-toe shoes or sandals, if possible, while you have the ingrown toenail. The less pressure you place on the toe, the less pain you will feel and the easier it will be to heal. If nothing helps and your toe doesn’t get better in 2-3 days, see your doctor. They might prescribe an oral or topical antibiotic. Although many types of doctors, including family physicians, pediatricians, urgent-care walk-in physicians, and dermatologists, can treat ingrown toenails, podiatrists (foot and ankle specialty doctors) are uniquely qualified among the medical professionals to treat this condition. Your doctor, orthopedic surgeon, or podiatrist (a foot doctor) can treat an ingrown nail with a minor procedure, or in certain cases with surgery.