How to Cure Ingrown Toenails
There is nothing fun about an ingrown toenail. Learning how to cure ingrown toenails can help you to find a solution to your daunting problem. Basically, an ingrown toenail is defined as when the toenail penetrates the skin. This causes an infection and pain. The pain can vary from little to immense with just a slight touch. The pain begins as a mild discomfort and gradually escalates causing pressure in the area, more severe pain, redness, inflammation and pus.
Home Treatments of an Ingrown Toenail
Some people prefer to treat their ingrown toenail at home without the consultation of a podiatrist. This is not recommended since an ingrown toenail is a serious problem. Ingrown toenails should really be examined and treated by a qualified doctor. However, there are some preventative treatments that you can do that will help to alleviate the pain and help to prevent the ingrown toenail from coming back after having the nail cut but a podiatrist.
When cutting the toe nails, make sure to cut the nail straight across so that it no longer penetrates the skin. You should regularly cut your toenails to prevent an ingrown toenail. Infection of the toenail often occurs which is why it is imperative to keep the feet clean at all times. Wear shoes and socks that are looser, allowing your toes to breathe. Some say that by cutting a toenail into a V shape that it will eradicate the ingrown toe nail. Unfortunately this is not true because the growth of the nail is determined by the foundational base of the nail, not where the incision is made.
Podiatric Treatment
If you have an ingrown toenail or you think you have one, it is best to see a podiatrist who can verify whether you have an ingrown toenail and how to take care of it. If the toenail is infected, it is common to take antibiotics. The cause of the infection must still be taken care of which a podiatrist does by skillfully removing the corner where the toenail is lodged. If the pain is excruciating, a local anesthetic will be used. This must be done in order to cure the infection and relieve an ongoing battle with pain.
Once this occurs, you will follow up your treatment with an antiseptic dressing which will treat and prevent future infections. Unfortunately, just because the ingrown toenail was removed, it does not mean that the nail will not continue to penetrate the skin as it continues to grow. Use the at home preventative treatment to help discourage the ingrown toe nail from coming back. If the toenail continues to be a problem then the only other solution is for a minor surgery on the toe. This will provide long term relief for an ingrown toenail. The surgery consists of removing part of the nail vertically down to the root. In more severe cases, the entire nail will have to be removed. This is done by using a laser, a mild acid or removing the cells by hand which will prevent the cells from growing back in the same pattern.
Always see a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail. Do not ignore it. The pain will increase. It is better to have an ingrown toenail taken care of right away rather than waiting years to correct the problem. It will prove to be more complicated and painful.
