How To Relieve Pain From An Ingrown Toenail

If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, you are most likely looking for a remedy to have it disappear as well as relief for the pain you are feeling. There are a few methods you can try in relieving the pain you feel from an ingrown toenail. Here are some tips for you to try to heal, relieve the pain, and keep ingrown toenails from happening again.

How To Remove

Once you have an ingrown toenail, you will need to be diligent in trying to remove the portion embedded in your skin so you can start to heal. Ingrown toenails are often caused by improper cutting and they are usually found on the large toe on a foot. When the toenail grows and breaks the skin on the toe, you will experience redness, swelling and pain. Improper foot hygiene can cause the area to become infected. In this case, you will need to see a podiatrist.

To soften the nail, use a foot bath and soak your feet for fifteen to twenty minutes. Try to lift the embedded edge of the nail away from the skin of your toe carefully, using a piece of dental floss. This will allow you to use nail clippers to cut the part that is poking into your skin. If the toenail is pushed too far into the skin, you may need to visit a podiatrist to help you clip your nail properly. After it has been clipped, you can follow procedures to keep it from coming back.

Relieving Pain

Soaking your affected foot daily will help relieve pain associated with an ingrown toenail. Add a few tablespoons of vinegar to help soften the toenail as you soak. Elevate your foot often to keep blood from pooling in the affected area, which can make the pain worse. If the pain is intense, a podiatrist may be able to prescribe an oral anti-inflammatory medication to help you. In severe cases, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to remove the portion of the nail afflicting the pain.

Avoiding Reoccurrence

When your ingrown toenail finally heals, you will want to do whatever necessary to make sure it does not return. Keep your nails clipped straight across and do not cut them too short. It is important to wear shoes that fit you properly. If you wear shoes that are too tight, they can press the edge of your nail into the skin of your toe. Make sure you are able to wiggle your toes around inside your shoe. 

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