Eliminating ingrown toenails – physician shares recommendations on how you can stop them
Considered a standard downside, an ingrown toenail describes a nail that grows within the mistaken path and decides to dig into the encompassing pores and skin.
This downside usually strikes the massive toe, however ingrown toenails can bother any toe.
What’s worse, ingrown toenails usually set off uncomfortable indicators like swelling, redness, ache across the nail and might even result in an an infection.
The good news is there are some easy ideas for managing this downside, based on Dr Kelvin Fernandez, a doctor and healthcare educator at Ace Med Boards.
Firstly, the physician warned in opposition to performing a “bathroom surgery” the place you attempt to clip off the nail your self as this may result in much more issues.
READ MORE: How to remove an ingrown toenail
Instead, Dr Fernandez really useful soaking the affected nail and utilizing dental floss to assist management its development.
He mentioned: “A warm soak with Epsom salt can soften the skin and relieve some of that discomfort.
“Applying a bit of cotton or dental floss under the edge of the nail can encourage it to grow out and away from the skin.
Furthermore, Dr Angela Rai, GP at The London General Practice, also advised taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the pain.
If these home remedies aren’t working, it might be time to see a foot specialist who can help cut part of the nail away or remove the whole thing under local anaesthetic.
Dr Rai said: “You should seek medical attention if the toe becomes very painful, if you experience severe discomfort, pus, redness and swelling that is spreading.
“Your doctor can prescribe a course of antibiotics if the toe is infected.”
If you’re diabetic, each of the medical doctors agreed that you simply shouldn’t even try residence cures at first and simply go straight to see an skilled.
Dr Fernandez mentioned: “Due to reduced sensitivity and slower healing, what seems like a minor issue can quickly escalate into a serious infection, even leading to complications like foot ulcers.
“So, if you’re a diabetic patient with a potential ingrown toenail, please, skip the home remedies and head straight to a doctor.”
Fortunately, the next ideas may assist maintain your nails from rising into the pores and skin:
- Keep your nails trimmed straight throughout, not curved, to stop them from rising into the pores and skin
- Avoid reducing nails too quick
- Avoid sporting tight sneakers.