Although painful, ingrown toenails should not be trimmed carelessly if you don't want the condition to get worse. In some cases, the nail can even become infected and have to be surgically removed! If you have a similar condition but it's more severe in scale, don't try to cut your own nails. Instead, enlist the help of a trusted podiatrist to help your nails recover faster.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Trimming Ingrown Nails
Step 1. Measure the length of the nail
Do not cut nails that are still too short so that the condition does not get worse. If your nails aren't long enough, let them sit for a few days before trimming them. While waiting for long nails, try treating them by applying topical medications and soaking them in warm water regularly.
Remember, new nails can be cut if they are longer than the tips of your toes
Step 2. Soak the feet in warm water
Doing so will soften the nails and make them easier to cut. In addition, soaking the feet in warm water can also relieve the pain that appears.
If you want, add a few tbsp. Epsom salt into it. Epsom salt is useful for reducing pain due to ingrown toenails
Step 3. File the nails that are still short
In some cases, the nails do not need to be trimmed because they are not of sufficient length. If your nails are not longer than your fingertips, try filing them instead of trimming them.
File nails in a straight line. Filing it into an oval or curved shape risks worsening the condition of an ingrown toenail
Step 4. Trim your long nails in a straight line
If your fingernails are longer than your fingertips, cut them off immediately. Be careful, cutting nails with an oval or curved shape can increase the risk of ingrown nails. Therefore, make sure you always cut it in a straight line.
- Don't cut your nails too short! This action is one of the risk factors for ingrown nails.
- Also don't cut or pry the corners of your nails if you don't want them to get worse.
Step 5. Avoid using tweezers and similar tools
Never pull a body nail in with tweezers, scissors, or similar tools. Be careful, doing so risks damaging the skin layer and causing infection.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Ingrown Nails
Step 1. Apply a topical pain reliever to the nail area
If an ingrown toenail is painful, try applying a pain-relieving cream to the area. However, always remember that topical medications are only able to reduce the pain that appears, not treat the condition of your nails.
Step 2. Use a cold compress to relieve pain and reduce swelling of the nail
If the pain is difficult to tolerate, try to relieve it with a cold compress. Wrap an ice cube with a towel, then use it to compress the nail for 5-10 minutes.
Do not compress the nails for too long so that the skin tissue is not damaged due to prolonged exposure to very low temperatures. After 10 minutes, allow the skin to return to its normal temperature before re-compressing it
Step 3. Consider seeing a podiatrist
In many cases, trimming an ingrown toenail is not as easy as turning the palm of your hand. What's more, cutting nails that grow too deep can cause excruciating pain and risk causing infection. To avoid this risk, try setting up an appointment with a podiatrist (nail specialist) instead of trying to cut it yourself.
- Podiatrists may anesthetize the area around the nail before trimming the nail or performing other treatment methods.
- In addition, a skilled podiatrist can also remove ingrown nails to the root to prevent similar problems from happening again in the future.
Step 4. Watch for signs of infection
In fact, ingrown nails can become infected, and the infection can spread to other parts of your body if not treated promptly. Therefore, contact your doctor immediately if you find signs of a common infection such as:
- Skin looks swollen
- Reddish skin
- There is excruciating pain
- The skin around the nail oozes pus
- An unpleasant odor comes out from around the nails
- Skin looks bloated
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Nails from Growing Back
Step 1. Cover the ingrown nail with a small amount of cotton or gauze
If the nail can be removed, try tucking a small piece of cotton or gauze under it to stop the nail growing inward.
- To apply this method, try lifting the center of the nail with your fingers. Do this very carefully, and insert a small amount of cotton or gauze until the nails are no longer in contact with the skin. Don't put too much cotton or gauze in for your comfort!
- Change the cotton or gauze twice a day. Apply this method for a full two weeks or until the nail condition is completely healed.
Step 2. Wear loose-fitting socks or wear open-toed shoes
In fact, shoes or socks that are too tight are also at risk of encouraging ingrown nails. For those of you who are experiencing it, wearing shoes and/or socks that are too tight can also worsen the condition of your nails. Therefore, try to always wear loose socks or open-toed shoes to restore the condition of your nails faster. Practice this method until the ingrown nail is completely gone.
Step 3. Try not to injure your toes
Injury to the toe due to sports, tripping, or various other factors can also encourage the nail to grow back inwards. Try to identify if your nail condition is caused by an injury. If necessary, try buying and wearing protective shoes!
Try to find shoes that have protective properties like steel on the toes
Step 4. Wash your feet and observe them every day
Keeping your feet clean and monitoring the condition of your nails regularly can prevent similar conditions from happening in the future. Therefore, check the condition of your feet every time you shower!
