Can I Treat an Ingrown Toenail at Home?
Mar 02, 2024
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An ingrown toenail isn’t just a painful nuisance. It’s a medical condition that, if not treated properly, can worsen over time. In some cases, this issue can be dealt with at home, but if it becomes more severe, it will need to be treated by a medical professional.
Southwest Foot & Ankle offers treatment for ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, foot pain, and myriad other conditions affecting the health of your feet and ankles. We want to make sure your feet are as happy and healthy as possible!
Petrina C. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS, and Mark T. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS provide kind, comprehensive care to all of our patients in Scottsdale, Arizona. We believe consistent health of your feet and ankles is one of the best ways to ensure long-term wellness.
What is an ingrown toenail? The condition occurs when the edge of your nail grows under your skin. If you don’t cut your toenails straight, your nail grows at a curve, causing it to push up under your skin.
An ingrown toenail can also occur when your shoes are too tight or you cut your toenails too short. Whatever the case, ingrown toenails can become a serious problem if not treated properly. They can become infected, which can cause them to leak pus, swell, and turn red. They might also cause an open sore to develop, as your nail constantly digs into your skin.
For many people, an ingrown toenail might start as just a nuisance. But if you ignore it, it could become worse with time. This is especially true for those with diabetic neuropathy who might not even notice when an ingrown toenail becomes a problem.
In some cases, treating an ingrown toenail at home is possible if the problem is in its earliest stage and not yet causing a lot of pain or discomfort. However, if you are living with diabetes, circulation problems, or nerve problems, you should see your provider right away, because the issue can worsen quickly, and you’ll need a professional to fix it correctly.
To treat your ingrown toenail at home, soak your foot several times a day. Make sure the water is warm and keep your foot dry and clean when you’re not soaking it. You can also place floss or cotton — wetted with warm water — underneath your nail to keep it from pressing against your skin.
Avoid wearing tight shoes until the problem is resolved. When you have to cut your toenails, cut them in a straight line. Don’t try to cut out the part of your nail that’s growing under your skin. With time, these remedies should help. But if they don’t, it’s time to see a doctor.
As previously stated, if you already suffer from a condition that could cause an ingrown toenail to worsen considerably on its own, you should see your provider as soon as you notice the problem. This is necessary to ensure the issue is treated properly and you won’t experience worsening effects.
If your ingrown toenail becomes infected, it’s time to see a provider as well. You should also consider visiting your podiatrist if you’re able to treat the issue at home but it reoccurs over time. A recurring ingrown toenail is an issue you shouldn’t have to live with.
When you visit us, we’ll happily treat your problem. Some of the ways we do this include lifting your toenail so it grows away from your skin, prescribing antibiotics if there’s an infection, and removing part or all of your nail.
Every patient is different, and we offer the best treatment for your particular needs, depending on the severity of your condition and other factors.
While in some cases ingrown toenails can be treated safely at home, others must be handled by a professional.
Call Southwest Foot & Ankle at 480-900-7399 today to make an appointment or schedule online at your convenience. We want to help you feel your best and avoid any issues associated with an unmanaged ingrown toenail.