Ingrown toenails can be a painful and irritating condition, but several home remedies can help alleviate discomfort and promote healing. While some methods are effective, others may not offer significant relief. It’s important to know which treatments work and when to seek professional help. Here’s a look at the top home remedies for treating ingrown toenails.
1. Soaking the Affected Toe
Soaking the toe in warm water is one of the most commonly recommended home remedies for ingrown toenails. This can help reduce swelling, soften the skin and make the toenail easier to manage. Add a small amount of Epsom salt to the water to help soothe the affected area. Soak the toe for 15-20 minutes, two to three times a day.
What Works: Soaking can help reduce pain and inflammation, making the toe more comfortable. It’s also effective in softening the skin around the toenail, which may help prevent further irritation.
What Doesn’t: While soaking is helpful, it won’t cure the underlying issue of the nail growing into the skin. It’s best used in conjunction with other treatments.
2. Use of Antibiotic Ointment
If you notice redness, swelling or signs of infection around the ingrown toenail, applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like Neosporin can be helpful. This can prevent infection from spreading while promoting healing.
What Works: Antibiotic ointment can reduce the risk of infection and help the area heal faster. Applying it after soaking can also keep the toe moisturised and protected.
What Doesn’t: While the ointment can treat minor infections, it won’t fix the ingrown toenail itself. If the infection worsens or doesn’t improve, you’ll need to seek medical attention.
3. Cotton or Dental Floss Under the Nail
Some home remedies suggest placing a small piece of cotton or dental floss under the edge of the ingrown toenail to lift it away from the skin. This is meant to encourage the nail to grow above the skin rather than into it.
What Works: Gently lifting the nail can, in some cases, help relieve pressure and promote proper nail growth. This is typically effective in mild cases where the nail hasn’t deeply embedded into the skin.
What Doesn’t: If the nail is severely ingrown, trying to lift it yourself can lead to further injury or infection. This method should be used with caution and is not recommended for severe cases.
4. Proper Footwear Choices
Wearing tight shoes or shoes that put pressure on the toes can exacerbate the pain of an ingrown toenail. Choosing open-toed shoes or well-fitting shoes with plenty of space around the toes can reduce discomfort.
What Works: Avoiding shoes that squeeze or put pressure on the affected toe can help reduce irritation, allowing the area to heal more quickly.
What Doesn’t: Changing footwear alone won’t resolve an ingrown toenail. It’s important to combine this remedy with other treatments to address the root cause of the problem.
For more info about ingrown toenails, contact a local company.
Share28 January 2025
Having a fungal infection on your feet can be really annoying. You may find that your feet feel itchy, uncomfortable and that they don't smell great. The aim of this blog is to provide you with all of the info you need to fight a fungal infection. We are not trained podiatrist, but we have dedicated many hours to learning all we can about this subject. We will also be posting info about other conditions which can affect your feet and we hope to highlight how a podiatrist can help you to tackle them. Thank you for stopping by to read our blog!