Although nail growths penetrate into the skin on the fingers not as often as in the toenails, this problem is still possible. When you experience this problem, your fingers will feel sore and infected. If your fingernail is ingrown (ingrown), one side will grow and curl into the soft layer of skin at the tip of your finger. Learn how to treat ingrown toenails so you can reduce the discomfort and even cure it.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Home Remedies for Indigestion
Step 1. Lift your nails
If your ingrown toenail is mild, you can remove the nail yourself. Soak the nail to make it softer, then place something under the nail bed to help separate it from the skin so it doesn't grow piercing inwards. Try tucking a piece of cotton gauze, a cotton ball, or clean dental floss under the tip of an ingrown nail.
- If you are using cotton, take a small amount and then roll it with both fingers to form a 1 cm long cylinder. This roll should not be too thick, but thick enough to lift the nail layer off the skin surface.
- Glue one end of the cotton cylinder to one side of the finger. Lift the corner of the ingrown nail up and out of the other side. Tuck the end of the cotton cylinder under the corner of the nail and remove it from the other side so that it is between the skin and the nail. This will lift your nails off the surface of the skin.
- This step may be painful and look strange. The glued cotton tip serves to move the cotton cylinder under the corner of the nail. You may need someone's help to place the cotton.
Step 2. Use an antibiotic ointment
You can put a small amount of topical antibiotic ointment on your finger to prevent infection. Apply this ointment on the affected area with a clean cotton swab, then apply a clean bandage to protect it.
Instead, change the bandage and apply an antibiotic ointment every day
Step 3. Use over-the-counter pain relievers
Infections of the fingernails can cause severe pain. To relieve this pain, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions listed on the packaging.
Try taking paracetamol (Panadol), ibuprofen (Ifen), or naproxen sodium (Aleve) to help relieve pain
Method 2 of 4: Soaking Soft Fingernails
Step 1. Soak your finger in warm water
Use warm water to soak your fingernails for 15-20 minutes. This step is useful to help relieve pain and swelling in the fingers. You can do this treatment 3-4 times a day.
- Dry all fingernails after soaking. Keep ingrown toenails dry, except when soaking.
- After soaking, you can apply oil or ointment to your nails. It's also a good idea to change the cotton swab or bandage on the nail after you're done soaking it.
Step 2. Use Epsom salt
Another way to relieve ingrown toenails is to soak them in Epsom salt solution. Pour warm water into a bowl, then add a few tablespoons of Epsom salt for every liter of water. Let your hands soak in this solution for 15-20 minutes.
- Epsom salt can help relieve pain and inflammation.
- If you want to apply a bandage to an ingrown toenail, wait until your finger is completely dry. After that, attach the bandage.
Step 3. Use hydrogen peroxide to soak
Hydrogen peroxide is useful for preventing infection. You can soak ingrown toenails in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Just add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to warm water.
- You can soak your fingers in this solution for 15-20 minutes.
- You can also apply hydrogen peroxide to a cotton ball or gauze and then apply it directly to the ingrown toenail.
Step 4. Try tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties so it can help heal ingrown nails. When soaking fingernails, add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to warm water. Alternatively, mix 1-2 drops of tea tree oil with a spoonful of olive oil and rub it into your nails to prevent infection.
- This oil can also soften the nails a little. You can use tea tree oil diluted in a spoonful of olive oil on your nails every day. You can also use this oil as an alternative to antibiotic ointments as you may not need both at the same time.
- Once the tea tree oil has absorbed, rub a small amount of Vicks VapoRub or Mentholatum onto the painful area. The content of menthol and camphor will help relieve pain and soften nails. Leave the menthol or camphor on the nail for 12-24 hours with a bandage or gauze.
- If you are using a cotton swab to lift your nails, you can pour tea tree oil on the cotton.
Method 3 of 4: Treat Ingrown Toenails Medically
Step 1. See a doctor
If the infection occurs in an ingrown toenail, or if the condition doesn't improve after about 5 days, you may need to seek medical attention. Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic that is applied to the surface of the skin to treat an ingrown toenail.
- If the nail infection is deep enough, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.
- If the ingrown toenail is caused by a fungus (this is often the case with chronic ingrown toenails), your doctor can confirm it and provide you with the right treatment.
- Tell your doctor if the pain around an ingrown toenail gets worse, if the pain and redness is widespread, if you can't bend your knuckles, or if you have a fever. These symptoms signal a more serious problem.
Step 2. Ask the doctor to remove your nail with surgery
The doctor may remove a fingernail that is infected but has not drained pus. Removing the nail will help separate it from the skin so that it grows above and not into the skin.
- After the nail is removed, the doctor will place something between the nail and the skin to hold it in place. Usually, the doctor will place a cotton swab, dental floss, or splint under the nail.
- If the infection or ingrown toenail is severe, or if you are not comfortable removing your nails yourself, ask your doctor for help.
Step 3. Undergo nail removal surgery
If your ingrown toenail occurs repeatedly, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the nail. Usually, the doctor will perform a partial nail avulsion. In this procedure, the ingrown part of the nail is removed.
- If you have had a partial nail avulsion, you'll want to pay close attention to further nail growth to make sure it doesn't stick back into the skin.
- In severe cases, the entire nail bed will be removed with chemicals or a laser. However, this procedure is rarely needed in the case of ingrown toenails, and is more often used to treat ingrown toes.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding Ingrown Toenails
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
Ingrown toenails occur when one end of the nail grows and curves toward the soft layer of skin on the edge of the finger. The resulting pressure causes redness, pain, swelling, and sometimes, infection.
- If an ingrown toenail becomes infected, pus and swelling may appear on the finger.
- Ingrown toenails can occur on both the inside and outside of the nail.
Step 2. Learn the cause
Ingrown toenails are less common than ingrown toenails. However, there are several things that can trigger it. Causes of ingrown toenails include:
- Injury
- Biting nails
- Trimming nails too short or unevenly
- Fungal infection
- Curved or thickened fingernails. This may be due to genetic factors, but can be a problem for seniors.
Step 3. Watch for worsening symptoms
Most cases of ingrown toenails can recover with home care or standard medical care. However, some cases of infection can get worse. If your symptoms get worse, you should visit your doctor or emergency room immediately.
If you have pus in your fingernails, if the pain around the ingrown toenail is getting worse, if the redness and pain is widespread, if you can't bend your knuckles, or if you have a fever, seek medical attention
Step 4. Prevent ingrown toenails
You can try to prevent ingrown toenails from happening again. Try not to cut your fingernails too short as this can lead to ingrown toenails. You should also not tear your fingernails. File the rough and uneven edges of the fingernails.
- Keep your hands and nails dry and clean.
- Keep an eye on the signs of ingrown toenails so you can detect them early.
