Ingrown Toenail Treatment

The nail on my big toe has always been flat, but within last year it seems to be squeezing together, causing a great deal of pain. Is this a fungus or have I developed an in grown toenail?
( 2 Mar 2009)

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Ingrown toenails can cause a lot of pain and even lead to an infection which can cause puss, discoloration of the nail and even make the nail thick and brittle. It is thus extremely important to treat an ingrown nail properly and in time, so that it does not lead to an infection. However you should be careful with the treatment especially if you suffer from diabetes or poor blood circulation.

In that case, detection of an ingrown toenail or toe infection could be delayed and thus more serious. In most cases, if detected in time, an ingrown toenail can be easily treated with the help of a beauty specialist and a good pedicure. In some cases however, a podiatrist might need to intervene to conduct a minor surgery and cut the part of the nail that has been digging into the soft skin of your toe.

In order to treat an ingrown toenail, you should soak your feet in a tub of warm water with some Epsom salts to prevent and treat the infection. This will soften the toenail and the skin surrounding it, making it easier for you to gently lift the corner of the nail and insert a small piece of cotton below the nail. This will help to elevate the nail, thus enabling you to trim the offensive corner and also prevent the nail from digging further into your skin. While trimming your nails, you should take care not to cut them too short since this increases the chances of the nail growing into the skin. Always try and trim your nails straight and if you have any sharp corners, use a nail file to gently blunt the edges. If your toenail has become thick and brittle you can apply some petroleum jelly mixed with lemon juice, or some tea-tree oil or lavender oil on the nails before your sleep to soften the toenail and treat any possible infection. It is also important to avoid wearing tight shoes that do not allow your feet to breathe and squeeze them, forcing the nails to dig into the skin. Ensure that your shoes are not too tight and always wear a pair of fresh, white cotton socks to avoid aggravating the infection due to the synthetic material or dye of the socks. Whenever possible, wear open-toes sandals to allow your feet to breathe, especially if you have slightly longer nails. However remember to wash and dry your feet properly after your return home, irrespective of whether you are wearing shoes or sandals. This will help to get rid of any bacterial or fungal growth and prevent infections.

answered by G M on 2 Mar 2009, 3:40:36

Ingrown Toenail Treatment

The nail on my big toe has always been flat, but within last year it seems to be squeezing together, causing a great deal of pain. Is this a fungus or have I developed an in grown toenail? ( 2 Mar 2009)

The nail on my big toe has always been flat, but within last year it seems to be squeezing together, causing a great deal of pain. Is this a fungus or have I developed an in grown toenail?
( 2 Mar 2009)