Ingrown toenails are never fun. At best, they can cause some discomfort—and, at worst, they can make daily tasks nearly impossible. Luckily, there are things you can do to ease the pain! Keep reading for some at-home remedies you can try, as well as information about when it’s time to see a professional.
How to Tell if You Have an Ingrown Toenail
First thing’s first—what is an ingrown toenail? How do you tell if you have one? For starters, the big toe is the one most often affected by ingrown toenails. Even minor cases are pretty easy to spot. Here are a few things to look out for:
Pain
The first and most obvious sign of an ingrown toenail will be pain or discomfort in your toe. It’s also common for swelling to accompany the pain, and for you to feel pressure at the top of your toe.
Skin
Be on the lookout for changes in the skin around the area. Redness and blisters can appear around the edge of your toenail. Also look out for skin that’s begun to grow over your toenail.
Infection
If you see yellowing of the skin around the affected toe, that could be a sign of fungal infection. An extra thick toenail (thicker than the others) or cracks in your toenail can also be signs of this. If you suspect an infection, it’s best to book an appointment with a professional podiatrist as soon as you can.
At-Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails
There are plenty of DIY remedies you can try to relieve the pain from an ingrown toenail. One of the most common remedies is to soak your feet—in warm, soapy water, apple cider vinegar, or an epsom salt bath. Soaking the affected area can help soften the toenail, as well as the skin around it, so it can be trimmed back to normal.
Here are a few other remedies you can try at home:
- If your ingrown toenail is infected, your doctor may prescribe some oral antibiotics. If this is the case, this will be the first step in healing—afterward, you can try these other at-home remedies.
- An antibiotic topical cream may also be prescribed to help with an infection.
- Avoid ill-fitting or uncomfortable footwear.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce inflammation and ease the pain.
- Soak your feet three to four times a day for about 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to dry your feet properly when you’re done each time.
When to See a Podiatrist
The phrase “better safe than sorry” is especially true when it comes to ailments susceptible to infection. If you see signs of an infection, or you’ve tried some of the at-home remedies above and things aren’t improving, it’s time to pay your local podiatrist a visit. They’ll be able to take care of it and prevent future ingrown toenails! This is especially important because if you have one once, they’re more likely to come back. Contact the Foot Specialists of Birmingham today to set up an appointment.
