Ingrown Toenails and How to Treat Them

If you ever experienced a case of ingrown toenail, you know that what begins as a nuisance, can quickly become a painful infection that can require medical treatment. According to Podiatrists, more than 5% of the population suffer from ingrown toenails, yet people hold many misconceived notions about treating the condition. 

What is an ingrown toenail? 

An ingrown toenail is a condition where the edges of the toenail are bent and grow into the skin of the toe. The result is pressure, itching, swelling and pain. In many cases, the nail breaks the skin, which usually leads to an infection, and in extreme cases it may require surgical intervention. 

 

The main causes of ingrown toenails are: 

Heredity: Ingrown toenails have been shown to be a trait that is passed down. 

Improper trimming: Cutting your toenail too short may cause the skin to grow over it. 

Improperly sized footwear: Tight shoes can push the toenail down and into the skin. 

Trauma to the toe: Suffering a trauma to the toe can cause the nail to start growing into the skin. 

The condition of the toenail: Fungal infections can lead to ingrown toenails.

Myths & Facts: 

 

Myth: Getting a pedicure every 2-4 weeks will effectively treat an ingrown toenail. 

Fact: Only a Podiatrist is licensed to treat the pathology of an ingrown toenail. 

 

Myth: Cutting your nails short enough will stop toenails from ingrowing. 

Fact: Cutting toenails too short can lead to ingrowing. It’s better to cut them straight across. 

 

Myth: “Bathroom Surgery” is an effective way to stop ingrown toenails. 

Fact: Many cases of infected toenails are a result of “Bathroom Surgery”. 

 

Myth: Getting a podiatrist to treat the ingrown is painful. 

Fact: Podiatrists use a local anesthesia and the procedures are painless. 

 

 A few suggestions for home treatment: 

1. Soak your foot in warm salt water for 15 minutes, twice a day. Be sure to dry your foot completely after the soak. 

 

2. Only wear shoes that don’t put pressure on your toes. The pressure will push the nail into the toe, exacerbating the situation. 

 

3. If your toes are swollen and painful, try pulling the skin gently away from the toe. This may release some pus – if so, wash the area, apply disinfectant and use a cotton swab to apply antibiotic cream. 

 

*In a case of an infected toenail, see a Podiatrist as soon as possible.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

10 simple ways to deal with an ingrown toenail at home

An ingrown toenail is a chronic disease when, for various reasons, the growing nail plate is inserted into the soft tissues of the lateral ridges of the toe. There are various methods of conservative and surgical treatment of this disease, but at the initial stages, before complications arise, a person can try to treat ingrown toenails at home.

Most often the big toe is affected. The disease occurs in several stages. It leads to discomfort and soreness in walking, and in the future - to inflammation of the tissues, their reddening, the release of light serous and bloody fluid, edema. The affected area can increase significantly in volume.

With the subsequent addition of staphylococcal infection, suppuration and other (often serious) complications arise that require emergency medical care. These complications are especially dangerous for people suffering from blood circulation disorders in the lower extremities and diabetes mellitus. Let’s look at 10 simple ways to deal with an ingrown toenail at home-

1. Wash Foot with Castile Soap. Mix this soap with water and put your feet there for about 20-30 minutes.

2. Onion Juice Treatment. Blend onion and add some drops of lemon juice there. Then apply the mixture to the necessary area and wrap with cotton cloth.

3. Treat with Vicks Vapo rub. Smash garlic and mix with Vicks Vapo rub. Apply to your nail and wrap with cotton cloth.

4. Aloe Vera Gel. Apply this remedy to the necessary areas two-three times a day.

5. Essential Oils. Take coconut oil and add some drops of any essential oil there. Apply two times a day.

6. Neem. Boil neem leaves in water and apply neem water to your toenail.

7. Hot and Cold Foot Bath. Take two tabs: one with cold water, the other with the mixture of hot water with Epsom salt. Place your feet in cold water, then in hot water.

8. Garlic. Smash garlic and mix it with olive oil. Apply this remedy for 5 days.

9. Lemon Juice and Honey. Mix honey with lemon juice, apply to your toenail for 30 minutes. 

10. Apple Cider Vinegar. Mix it with water, fill the tub and place your feet there for 30 minutes.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/       
                                                                                                                                                                      FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           
                                                                           FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com  

3 Simple Steps to Treat and Prevent Ingrown Toenails

If you’ve ever suffered from an ingrown toenail, you know how debilitating the pain can be, and how wearing shoes can feel painful. This is why we’ve collected several home remedies and recommendations to treat and prevent ingrown toenails.
What are ingrown toenails?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail grows in the wrong direction, growing into the fleshy sides of the toe instead of outwards. This can lead to discomfort and pain when wearing closed shoes, and even to an infection if left untreated. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be needed.
What causes ingrown toenails?
The main causes of ingrown toenails are genetics, wearing shoes that are too tight on the toes, or trauma to the toenail area.
Treatment and prevention:
1. The Cotton Ball method

• Begin by soaking your feet in hot water (as hot as you can stand) and Epsom salt (or povidone-iodine or potassium permanganate) for 20-30 minutes twice a day. By soaking your feet you soften the toenail, and the salt/PVP prevents infection by killing the bacteria in the area.

• Trim your nail carefully, making sure it’s straight and not curved, without pointed parts at the edges. Curved toenails are more likely to become ingrown.

• Use tweezers to gently push a cotton ball in the ingrown area, so that it raises the nail, preventing it from growing back into the toe.
• Replace the cotton daily to prevent further infection. 

• If the toe is already infected, use an infection-preventing ointment (such as Neosporin) on the infected area and bandage it. Avoid wearing socks or shoes when you’re home, because the area needs to breathe.

2. Use lemon

• By placing a thin slice of lemon on the toe and wrapping it in gauze overnight, you allow the lemon’s natural acidity to kill off any infection.

3. Soften the toenail with oil

• Use Tea Tree oil or baby oil on the affected area to soften the toenail, which will reduce any pain when wearing shoes by lowering the pressure put on the nail. 

Prevention:

• Always trim your toenails, preferably every 2-3 weeks.
• Avoid pedicures while suffering from an ingrown toenail – it may lead to a full-blown infection.
• Don’t wear shoes that are too tight.

Warnings:

• If the toe is infected and swollen with pus around it, see a doctor.
• Do not remove the cuticles from your toes if you suffer from ingrown toenails.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                       PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   

 
FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                               https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                              

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com