How To Get Rid Of An Ingrown Toenail Painlessly

People who has big toe frequently suffer from ingrown toenail. Wearing shoes or covered sandals is very common for people in corporate jobs. It is not limited to corporate people only but also who are into athletics and sports. More than 10 million people in United States of America alone suffer from this condition every year. If you are looking for a way to fix an ingrown toenail painlessly then home remedies can help you.

Absolute no-pain is only possible if you can numb your toe and then cut the painful toenail. Home remedies are helpful in reducing the pain while removing ingrown toenail.
People with diabetic condition are at higher risk of suffering from toenails growing inside the skin. The chance of bacterial infection is high. It is advised to start eating some natural antibiotic foods or go on over the counter antibiotic.

Pain and the redness at the corner of the toe is the first sign of ingrown toenail. Most of the time you feel sudden pain and slight amount of blood. It is because your over growing toenail is piercing your skin. It is usually self-diagnosed but sometimes require surgical removal. If it’s too bad then you don’t have to search for a specialist, just consult with any primary care provider.

Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenail Treatment

Bacterial infection is the biggest threat to people suffering from this condition. If you are trying to cut ingrown toenail with scissor or knife alone then its a bad idea. Corner of toes is filled with dirt and can become breeding ground for bacteria. So these remedies may help you get rid of painful ingrown toenail without suffering from infection.
Note: if you are suffering from diabetes, nerves damage in your foot and poor blood circulation then do not treat ingrown fingernails at home. Consult a doctor and tell them about your condition.

1. Warm Water for Ingrown toenail Treatment

Warm water is easily absorbed by our nails. It also soothe pain and reduces inflammation of skin. The area under your fingernails is hard to reach which makes it difficult to diagnose. Warm water help emphasize the condition and it becomes easy for you to cut an ingrown toenail.
To protect your self from infection, you can add tea tree oil. It is powerful natural antibacterial which can inhibit a bacterial outbreak.
Warm water also help with tenderness and acute pain caused by this condition. People also use warm water to get rid of dirt from the corners of fingernails.
How to use:

• Take one small tub and fill it with warm water.
• Soak your affected foot and keep it inside for 15 minutes.
• Doing it for 3 to 4 times will provide relief.
• Use a cotton ball to push your skin away from poking nail.
• If you have nail-cutter then chop out over grown corner of your toenail.

2. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is active antimicrobial and antibacterial natural agent(1). If you are trying to treat an infected ingrown toenail then tea tree oil can help you fight the infection.
The dirt at the corner of your toe are filled with parasite and harmful bacteria. It can enter in your blood streams, if overgrown toenail tear your skin.
Infection can cause acute pain, swelling, formation of pus at the corner of your toe and redness. Tea tree oil help you put a stop on bacterial  invasion.
Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil can help you fix an ingrown nails under corner of your toes.
How to get rid of ingrown toenail with tea tree oil:

• Soak your foot in a warm water tub for 5 minutes.
• Put few drops on infected toe corner.
• Keep the oil for 30 minutes.
• Use cotton ball to lift nail.
• Lifting infected nail can relieve pain.
• Use this home remedy 3 times a day.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Using hydrogen peroxide can help you get rid of infected ingrown toenail. It is potent disinfectant which can prevent infection and reduce the chance of formation of pus.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hydrogen peroxide is powerful antimicrobial which can help reduce infection(2). This study also found out that it is more effective than other competing disinfectants at some point.
How to treat an ingrown toenail with hydrogen peroxide:

• Take one tub filled with warm water.
• Mix 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide.
• Soak your infected foot nail in this solution.
• Keep it for 10 minutes.
• Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide.
• Place it over infected corner of toe.
• After 10 minutes rinse with lukewarm water.
• Use this home treatment 3 times a day.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar for Ingrown Toenail Treatment

No list of infection home treatment can be completed without apple cider vinegar. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties, apple cider vinegar is an excellent home remedy for ingrown toenail.

It clean the wound and provide protective layer to prevent infection. If your wound is pre-infected then apple cider vinegar alone can not help. Use some natural antibiotic or purchase some over the counter antibiotic pills.
Its medicinal properties can help relieve pain, swelling and infection. If you are opting for removal of ingrown toenail then apple cider vinegar can help the wounds from bacterial invasion.
How to use:

• Take 5 tablespoons of purified water.
• Mix 3 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar.
• Soak a cotton ball in this solution.
• Apply it directly on infected area.
• Keep it for 30 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
• Alternatively, mix half cup of pure organic apple cider vinegar in one tub of warm water.
• Soak your foot inside for 30 minutes.
• Use this home remedy 3 times a day for fast relief.

5. Clove Oil

Clove oil is very effective home remedy to treat an infected ingrown toenail. According to a study published in 2009, clove oil has anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties(3). Fungal infection is worst thing possible you can suffer from an open wound. Tea tree oil is natural anti-fungal agent which can prevent fungal growth on open wounds.
It has nerve numbing properties which can help you get rid of an ingrown toenail painlessly. Due to its sedative and nerve numbing properties people also use clove oil to treat wisdom tooth pain.
How to get rid of an ingrown toenail painlessly with clove oil:

• Soak your infected foot in a tub of warm water.
• Keep it inside for 20 minutes and pat dry.
• Soak a cotton ball in clove oil.
• Put cotton ball under your infected toenail.
• Keep it for 1 minute and rinse with lukewarm water.
• Use this home remedy 3 times a day for quick relief.

6. Epsom Salt

Hard skin around over grown nail makes it tough to remove the part. Epsom salt is useful in making such hard skin softer and help you cut an ingrown toenail painlessly. This home remedy is very effective and inexpensive also.
It is a natural disinfectant which also help prevent infection. Epsom salt can cure nail fungus and reduce swelling. When combined with warm water, Epsom salt alleviate pain and soothe tenderness.
How to use:

• Fill one foot tub with warm water.
• Mix half cup of Epsom Salt.
• Stir for several minutes until it is dissolved completely.
• Soak your infected foot for 30 minutes.
• Pat dry and apply some antibiotic ointment.
• Use this home treatment 2 times a day.

7. Dental Floss

Dental floss is a small cord with thin filaments used to remove plague and dirt from between the teeth. According to MayoClinic, keeping dental floss under the edge of an ingrown toenail to provide fast relief. It can help increase healing speed and prevent skin damage.

Dental Floss to Cure Ingrown Toenail – Credit: mayoclinic.org

Yes it is not going to be painless but it works. However, to make it painless you can use clove oil. It has nerves numbing properties which can reduce pain significantly.
How to use:

• Soak your infected foot in a tub for 20 minutes.
• Pat dry and apply few drops of clove oil on corners of your infected toe.
• Place the dental floss under the edge of ingrown toenail.
• Use this home remedy several times a week.

8. Turmeric to Get Rid of an Ingrown Toenail

If you have ever tasted an Indian curry dish then you already know what is turmeric. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is also used to cure cavities and tooth decay.
Turmeric contain an active compound called curcumin. From clinical trials, it is proved that turmeric can help cure cancer and reduce skin inflammation(4). It is one of the most popular Ayurvedic medicine herb which can be used to cure an ingrown toenail.
How to use:

• You will need 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of frozen coconut oil.
• Mix both the ingredients to make herbal paste.
• Apply a thick layer on affected area and cover with a bandage.
• Keep it on for 1 hour then rinse with lukewarm water.
• Turmeric may leave yellow stains on your skin.
• Use this fast healing remedy twice a day.
• To support immune system, drink 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of turmeric.
• It will support ingrown toenail home treatment and provide fast recovery.

9. White Flower Oil

White flower oil is an effective home remedy for pain of an ingrown toenail. It has nerve numbing properties which can help you reduce acute pain and sensation.
This oil is the result of infusion between multiple essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint. It comes with health benefits of all participating essential oils.
White flower oil can be said to be the blend of essential oils. It is highly effective in reducing infection and swelling of skin. It helps with the tender toes due to cuts and injuries caused by overgrown nails.
How to use:

• Soak your affected foot in warm water for 20 minutes.
• Pat dry and leave it for 5 minutes.
• Soak a cotton ball in white flower oil.
• Rub around infected toenail but don’t place it directly on infection.
• It falls under poisonous oils with healing properties.
• Use it carefully or if you are not sure then avoid it.

10. Indian Lilac

Indian lilac has multiple names such as “neem” and “margosa”. It is highly antiseptic which help cure infections faster. Indian lilac can treat ingrown toenail and help you get rid of its symptoms such as swelling, pain and tenderness.
According to WebMd, neem can be helpful in treating infections such as tooth abscess, open wounds, bacterial outbreak, skin diseases (acne) and intestinal ulcers.
How to treat an ingrown toenail with Indian Lilac:

• Pour 1 cup water in a saucepan.
• Put handful of neem leaves and bring it to boil.
• Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
• Strain it over a foot tub.
• Put your infected foot in the warm water (neem infused).
• Keep it for 20 minutes.
• Crush and make thick paste from collected leaves.
• Apply the paste directly over red and tender area.
• Let it dry naturally for 30 minutes.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
• Use this home remedy 3 times a day for fast recovery.

DIY – Homemade Ingrown Toenail Ointment Recipe

The basic task you want your ointment to perform is to prevent infection, reduce swelling and alleviate pain. We are going to use some essential oils and other natural products to do the trick. You can use this ointment on your infected toe to increase the healing speed.
You will need:

• 3 drops of clove oil.
• 5 drops of eucalyptus oil.
• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
• 2 drops of oregano oil.
• 1 teaspoon of frozen coconut oil.
• 3 drops of tea tree oil.
• Air tight bottle/jar.

How to make:

• Put all the ingredients in the jar/bottle.
• Close the airtight bottle and shake for several minutes.
• You can also mix it in any bowl with the help of a teaspoon.
• Keep this homemade ointment in refrigerator.
• Use cold ointment on ingrown toenail to relieve pain and infection.

How To Cut an Ingrown Toenail

Cutting an ingrown toenail comes with risk. First of all, it is hard and can cause infection (if not already happened). Taking extra care while taking out the excessive grown part is highly advised. This may not be painless but many people claims that it is very helpful if done correctly.

• You should soften the nail and skin around the corner of toe by soaking it inside warm water foot tub. To make it more effective, mix Epsom salt in the warm water.
• You will need small and sharp scissors or regular nail cutter.
• Push back the swollen skin (it will hurt) a little. Once you can see the ingrown toenail then cut it out.
• If you are using scissors then start cutting from one side of the nail and not from the middle.
• Otherwise, use big nail-cutter to chop out the ingrown part at once.
• Use some antibiotic ointment to prevent infection or use earlier discussed homemade ointment.

How To Prevent Ingrown Toenails

Prevention is better than cure, you might  have heard it thousand time but people don’t understand the meaning of it until they suffer. It’s better for us to understand the meaning before the disease attack us. It is also important to understand “What causes ingrown toenails” before we look at prevention. Most of the time it is because of wrong shoe size. People with big toe or who tends to wear small size of shoes suffer more from this disease.
Another common causes are improper trimming of nails at the corner and toe injuries.
To prevent this painful and inflamed toe situation you must change certain lifestyle and eating habits.

• Wear comfortable shoes and socks.
• Avoid wearing small or tight-fitting shoes.
• Cut toenails straight across.
• Keep your blood sugar levels in control.
• Avoid stubbing toe.
• Use antibiotic ointment regularly to avoid infection.
• Trim your toenails regularly and take extra caution at the corners.
• Eat healthy food which makes your immune stronger.

Conclusion on How to get rid of an ingrown toenail

People often suffer from “sore toenail but not ingrown” situation. It can be the early sign but start following the prevention measures to avoid complications. See a doctor if pain and swelling is severe. If you notice a high amount of pus in your ingrown toenail then consult a health care provider.
Patients go through acute pain while walking. If the overgrown nail has infected the damaged skin then you can have pus at the edge of your toenail. Use antibacterial home remedies such as tea tree oil, turmeric, clove oil or apple cider vinegar to avoid further damage.

Now you know the best home remedies to get rid of an ingrown toenail fast and painlessly. So use multiple home treatments to get fast results. All these remedies will help you get relief from pain, inflammation and tenderness. You can also use over the counter antibiotic ointments or make one for yourself at home. Eat antibacterial foods to support fast healing.

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