An ingrown nail is painful as well as unpleasant. Most people don’t treat this problem until it’s too late. If you want to avoid getting surgery, you should try the following homemade remedies. We have gathered a list of the best ingrown nail treatment options. They are easy to make, accessible, and affordable.
What Are the Best and Most Effective Ingrown Nail Treatment Options?
Soak Your Feet
Soaking your toe in warm water will help you reduce soreness and pain. Make sure the water is not too hot. Also, for better results, add a couple of Epsom salts tablespoons. You should keep your feet in this mix for about ten minutes. The best way is to repeat this process once or twice every day. If you want something stronger, you can buy Domeboro Astringent Solution. This is a solution that even doctors recommend. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Put your nail in this solution and keep it there for 30 minutes.
Trim Your Nails Properly
This is not really an ingrown nail treatment but more of a way to prevent it. However, it also works when you already have this problem. It helps your nail not to become infected. The best way to cut your nails is leaving them straight across, having a square shape. Avoid cutting them in a curved way. Instead of trimming the corners, try using a nail file. Also, if your nails are cut too short, they will press against the skin, which will grow in front of the toenails.
Put A Cotton Ball Under the Nail
You can either use a cotton ball or a piece of dental floss. First, soak your feet as described above. Then place small cotton balls under each corner of the ingrown nail. Leave it there for as much as you can. Repeat the process after a couple of hours. This way, your nail will eventually grow above the skin.
Buy Comfortable Shoes
Ingrown nails can be caused by tight shoes. They create extra pressure on the nail, which makes the skin grow over it. Avoid shoes that pinch your toes. Also, women who suffer from ingrown nails should avoid high heels. However, both men and women should always purchase proper shoes that have enough space for their toenails.
Apply Oils That Soften the Skin
Oils help your toenail by moisturizing the skin surrounding it. This way, it will reduce the pressure when you wear shoes. One of the best ingrown nail treatment options is using tea tree oil. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Moreover, this oil smells great. Another option is applying baby oil on the affected area. Even though it doesn’t work as good as tea tree oil, it can soften your skin.
Putting It All Together
There are plenty of ingrown nail treatment options to choose from. Make sure you always clean the damaged area and try to avoid wearing tight shoes. If the weather is warm, you should wear only sandals until the problem gets fixed. Soaking your feet in warm water might really help relieve pain and pressure. Also, you can prevent an ingrown toenail by trimming your pedicure correctly.
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