There are several different cures for an ingrown toenail. Some of the cures may work for you but some may not. If you have an ingrown toenail the chances are that it will continue to become ingrown even after treatment. The only permanent cure for an ingrown toenail is nail surgery. You may think that sounds a little drastic but it can end a lifetime of pain and discomfort that an ingrown toenail can cause.
Firstly we’ll discuss the treatment that you can do at home. We will only suggest home treatment if the toenail is not infected. If you think an infection has developed, make an appointment to see a Podiatrist as soon as possible as you may need a course of antibiotics. The signs to look out for when looking for infection are redness, swelling, painful to touch and a discharge of blood or pus which may have an unpleasant smell. If you have any of the above symptoms seek medical attention.
If you think that you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail and the pain is very slight, try soaking your feet in warm water. Do this 4 times a day if you are able to as this will soften the nail and make it less painful. Keep your toe clean and apply a dressing to prevent an infection if the skin is broken. If this method does not work you will need to make an appointment with the Podiatrist to have the offending piece of nail removed. Generally this is a very quick procedure where the Podiatrist will remove the tiny spike of nail digging into the skin. If your toe is very painful to touch, the Podiatrist may suggest a local anaesthetic to gently numb the area.
If you are particularly prone to ingrown toenails or if you develop a severe infection, your Podiatrist may suggest nail surgery. Nail surgery is a quick and painless procedure to remove part of, or all, of the ingrown nail. A chemical is applied to the nail bed to prevent the nail from re-growing and causing further problems. Partial nail surgery leaves the nail intact but it is slightly narrower than it was before.
Some people never suffer from ingrown toenails but if you bang your toe or cut too far down the nail you may develop an ingrown toenail. In this instance try the home treatment techniques and if they do not work your Podiatrist can trim the nail and it should regrow normally again.
The good news is that yes, there is a cure for ingrown toenails in the form of nail surgery. If this is not for you the Podiatrist may be able to cut your nails so they are more comfortable for you. This should reduce your pain and discomfort for a while, but they will return once the nail has regrown.