An ingrown toenail usually develops on the big toe, when the toenail corner curves down and eat into the soft flesh. Most often, you can treat an ingrown toenail at home. However, if you suspect an infection because bacteria have invaded your toe, you must go to the nearest healthcare provider to diagnose problems based on your symptoms and immediately treat your nail and the surrounding skin. Read the article for more information.
An ingrown toenail is a common condition that mostly appears when cutting the toes too short or incorrectly. Ingrown toenails typically occur in teenagers and adults from 20 to 40 years old. The medical names for this nail condition are onychocryptosis and unguis incarnatus.
Figure 01. The difference between Healthy Toenails and Ingrown Toenails.
The following reasons can cause swollen toenails:
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Moderate and mild cases of infected toenails can be effectively treated at home. You can apply some of the steps below to treat infected ingrown toenails as quickly as possible:
In addition, in cases where the corner of the nail is too deep, the nail needs to be aligned, and it is difficult for you to handle the corner yourself at home safely. Therefore, you should see a doctor or go to a credited nail salon to get the corners and clean the nails properly.
To relieve pain and swelling from improper toenail removal, soak feet with swollen toenails for 10-20 minutes in warm water mixed with vinegar or salt, three times a day for one to two weeks.
Pour about 2L of warm water into the tub and add 3 tablespoons (75 g) of Epsom salt. Put your feet in the water and relax for about 15 minutes while soaking them. When the soak is complete, dry your toes thoroughly.To relieve pressure under the edge of an ingrown toenail caused by improper cornering, experts say you can lift the nail slightly by sticking a small piece of cotton wool or just thick under the edge of the nail. This technique helps pull the nail away from the skin, so it doesn't go deeper into the skin.
You can dip cotton in an antiseptic to help soothe the pain and prevent infection under the nail. If the nail is infected, this can also help draw out any moisture trapped under the nail. If you use thick floss, make sure it's unflavored and wax-free.Antibacterial ointments and ingrown toenail cream are a lifesaver that is extremely helpful when dealing with an infected ingrown toenail. For mild cases of swelling, you can use some antibiotic ointments such as Fucidin, Foban, or Bactroban. But this topical medication limits the growth of bacteria, reducing infection.
Before applying the ointment, dry your toes thoroughly. Cover the infected area with an antibacterial cream. Apply the lotion in a thick layer to the infected toe area. Wrap your toes with a bandage. This helps prevent debris from entering the wound and keeps the ointment in place.If the toenail gets infected from a toenail removal, you should immediately stop home treatment and see a specialist. If the nail infection is severe enough, minor surgery may be required. However, in most cases, doctors will do a simple surgical procedure that involves numbing the flesh of the tip of the toe and then removing part of the nail growth.
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