If this doesn’t help the pain, your ingrown nail may be too advanced for you to care for it without the help of a medical provider. Pain management: You may need to use OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It will be more comfortable and improves the chances that your ingrown nail will resolve. Roomy shoes or sandals: This decreases the risk of any additional pressure on the nail. But be sure to change the bandages every day. ![]() This will help with comfort and will also help to keep the site clean. Protective wrap: Cover the nail with a protective bandage. Topical antibiotics: Add an over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic cream to prevent local infection. This will help to lift the nail off the skin, so it can grow outwardly. This helps to soften the nail and makes it easier to treat.Īnd here are some additional steps you can follow to treat your ingrown nail at home:Ĭotton wicks: If the edge of the nail can be easily lifted, you can place a small wad of cotton under it. This approach includes soaking the nail in warm, soapy water for 20 minutes twice a day. The treatment can include:Īn ingrown nail should only be treated at home if it is caught early in the process and the pain is tolerable. The treatment for ingrown nails depends on the severity of inflammation and if they are a recurrent problem. And, in some cases, the surrounding skin may need to be cut and drained, if a collection of pus has formed. Paronychia that hasn't responded to warm soaks may need treatment with antibiotics. Signs of a serious case of paronychia can include: Left untreated, it can lead to a serious infection of the skin and even of the underlying bone. If caught early, paronychia can be easily treated with warm water soaks 2 to 3 times per day. Redness or pus around the nail are early signs of paronychia. Sometimes an ingrown nail can lead to an infection of the skin around the nail, or paronychia. ![]() Swollen, painful red skin around the edges of the nail Other common signs of an ingrown nail are: In some cases, pain from an ingrown nail can be so severe that it becomes difficult to walk or wear shoes comfortably. This pain may be mild at first but, if the ingrown nail progresses, it can become quite debilitating. The most common sign of an ingrown nail is pain where the nail meets the skin. Genetics: A condition causing deformed fingers or toes can also lead to ingrown nails. Overly curved toenails: This is uncommon, but misshapen nails can cause repeated ingrown toenails. Softer nails may split more often and grow into the skin. Repeated trauma to the toenail: Ingrown nails can happen with certain athletic activities, especially those that involve running or kicking.Įxcessive sweating: Heavy sweating can cause moist skin and nails. This can cause nail fragments to grow deep into the skin and also increases the risk of recurrence. ![]() ![]() Wearing tight- or ill-fitting shoes: Tight shoes can cause increased pressure on the nail. Cutting the nail too short or at an improper angle increases the risk of a nail becoming ingrown as it regrows. Improper nail trimming: This is a common reason for developing ingrown nails. There are several reasons why ingrown nails happen, including: What causes an ingrown nail?Īn ingrown nail occurs when the side of your nail grows into the soft support tissue of your toe or finger. Learn what causes ingrown nails and how to fix, remove, or treat them before they become an issue. If it’s caught early, the treatment for an ingrown nail can be simple, and the duration of your symptoms can be short. While any nail has the potential to become ingrown, this most commonly happens to the big toe. But this may be an underestimate, since minor cases are often likely to go unreported. It’s thought to affect up to 5% of people in the general population, and up to about 30% of people with diabetes. An ingrown nail is a relatively common condition.
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