5 Tips to Help Ingrown Toenails at Home

Sometimes amazing sights lurk below what we can see on the surface, much like an iceberg. That’s certainly the case for the Crystal Cave Park. The caves are a wonder, hidden just out of sight under the earth. Some things that aren’t visible aren’t as nice as this natural Pennsylvania wonder. Ingrown toenails end up hidden under your skin, for example, and they can be pretty uncomfortable. Fortunately, home remedies can help relieve your discomfort.

Ingrown toenails are painful, and do not improve without treatment. They are also prone to infections, particularly if the hard keratin pierces the skin. Taking care of these uncomfortable nails can alleviate your pain and prevent infections. Here are a few home remedies for you to try:

• Warm Soak – Mix Epsom salts and warm water in a basin. Soak your feet for 15 minutes, several times a day. This helps reduce swelling and discomfort around the painful nail. If you have diabetes or any other condition that weakens your nerves, check with our West Lawn Podiatry Associates team before soaking your feet to make sure it’s safe for you.
• Nail Splint – If your ingrown nail is still in the early stages, lift the offending edge free of your skin and place a “splint” of dental floss or sterile cotton underneath to prevent the nail from curling. This may help the keratin grow straighter instead of curving inward.
• Antibiotics – Rub the area around the ingrown nail with antibiotic ointment. This combats infection in the vulnerable skin.
• Padded Bandages – Bandage the affected toe. This adds a layer of padding between your nail, skin, and footwear. It may help protect your sensitive toe from friction.
• Roomy Shoes – Choose soft, roomy shoes with both wide and deep toe boxes. Tight, narrow models will press down on your ingrown toenail, hurting it. Roomy shoes made from soft materials allow your digits to wiggle and move without the pressure that can contribute to curling nails.

These home remedies are simple, easy to fit into your day, and helpful for relieving pain from ingrown toenails. You don’t have to suffer with toe pain at all. Let our West Lawn Podiatry Associates team help you. Just call (610) 678-4581 or use our website contact form to reach us for more information or an appointment.