There are few things more irritating than an ingrown toenails cutting into your foot all day. Ingrown nails occur when the nail grows into the soft tissue rather than out. The most common site is the big toe, you may have a painful and swollen red area that’s sensitive to touch and vulnerable to infection, They are caused by improperly trimmed toenails, too tight shoes, and socks, or plain bad luck. You can get your nail back where it goes with these remedies for ingrown toenails:
There are many over-the-counter products for the treatment of ingrown toenails, some contain natural agents and others contain chemicals or both. The best natural options for ingrown toenails contain tea tree oil, menthol, or other essential oils.
What you can try at home for ingrown toenails:
Fill a basin with 8 liters (2 gallons) hot water and several tablespoons Epsom salt or sea salt, stir until it dissolves then soak your foot for 20 minutes, then rinse, dry, and apply clean socks. Repeat every day until the redness disappears. The hot water will soften the skin around the ingrown nail and the salt will help combat infection and reduce swelling.
Another option is to add one tablespoon of salt, or sea salt, to a pint of lukewarm water, soak gauze in it and apply to your ingrown toenails for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this process several times each day until your ingrown nail is cured.
You can place a small piece of cotton underneath the ingrown toenail to lift it. This will help the nail grow outward and stop it from growing into the soft surrounding area.
Please note that you should let your feet breathe. Tight socks and improperly sized shoes worsen your pain, it’s better to go without socks when possible and opt for sandals when appropriate. Cut your nails with more precision, or have them professionally cut to avoid ingrown nails in the future. Cut toenails straight across and leave the outside edges parallel to the skin.
When you need to see a doctor for treatment of ingrown toenails:
According to “Home Remedies From A Country Doctor,” by Jay Heinrichs, if the sore area becomes swollen, bleeds, or starts discharging pus you need to see the doctor.
The natural home remedy for Ingrown toenails
Edited By: Stephanie Dawson
[Last updated on June 9th, 2014 and November 26th, 2013]
Source of infographic
Sources: Home remedies from a country doctor by Jay Heinrichs and Dorothy Behlen Heinrichs, Castle Books (2011)
The doctor’s book of home remedies, by the editors of Prevention (2009)
