Ingrown Nail
If an ingrown nail is causing you discomfort and pain, Epsom salts may be the remedy you have been looking for.
What is it?
Epsom salt is a form of magnesium sulfate. It has been a component of bath salts since the 17th century. The salt gets its name from a bitter saline spring at Epsom in England.
How it works:
Sulfates are known to aid in nutrient absorption, flushing of toxins and easing severe headaches. While Epsom salts can be used internally, use in baths is more popular. Once added to water, the salt works on basis of the process known as osmosis. It draws fluid from the swollen area thus reducing inflammation and drawing toxins that may cause infection.
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Additionally, the soak will soften the skin which comes in handy if you are considering ingrown nail removal.
How to prepare the bath:
Epsom salts may be differently concentrated depending on where you are purchasing them. For this reason, make sure to use as directed in the package. Begin with preparing a bowl of water, about 37 degrees Celsius. Add the Epsom salt and stir. You can use your hand to feel for clumps.
Soaking your feet:
Most sources recommend that you soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. Do this at least 3 times in a day. Another method is to use hot and cold water. In this case, you are to begin with soaking in the hot water for about three minutes after which you are to switch to cold water for another 3 minutes. Do this three times.
For better results, you can try massaging your foot while it is submerged in the warm water. This encourages the outward flow of fluid and pus.
Once done, ensure to dry the entire foot. Bacteria and fungi love moist and warm areas. Replace any bandages you may be using and remember to apply an antiseptic.
How long does treatment take?
Natural remedies are necessarily not meant to cure diseases or conditions. What they do is relieve symptoms and in the process make the condition tolerable.
It is almost not practical to think that Epsom salts will actually cure an ingrown nail. The most the remedy can do is reduce inflammation. With reduced swelling, the ingrown portion of nail may straighten up back to the normal position.
There are a couple of things you may want to do after an Epsom salt ingrown nail treatment. These include:
Lift the ingrown nail:
An ingrown nail is just a normal growth which has grown into the wrong place. It can therefore be guided back to normality. To do this, you will need to lift the ingrown portion and place a piece of dental floss or a cotton wisp between the nail and skin. After a week or two, the nail will have grown long enough to not cause problems. Be careful when using cotton because it can introduce bacteria into your nail matrix.
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Apply an antibiotic ointment:
Ensure to apply an antibacterial ointment about three times a day or as directed by a physician. This is regardless of whether signs of infection are present. After application, dress with a bandage which is to be changed at every application.
Try another home remedy:
Other than Epsom salts, there are several other home remedies recommended for ingrown nail treatment. These include tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. All these have antimicrobial properties which comes in handy with ingrown nail treatment. All the same, try not to overload your toe or finger with remedies and medications.
Trim your nail:
It is important that the affected nail be kept short. When trimming any of your nails, do it straight across. This ensures that the balance between the growth of nail and nail edge skin is maintained. Ensure not to cut your nails too short. You can always consider help from a specialist.
If your ingrown nail is showing signs of infection such as widespread pain and pus discharge, it is the type to test your surgeon skills with. Check with your doctor as soon as possible.
A video illustration on how to fix ingrown nail at home may be of more help. But below are the basic steps:
- You will need warm water, an ingrown nail tool, tweezers, cotton wool and antiseptic.
- Soak affected foot in the warm water for 15 minutes
- Trim the nail straight across but ensure not to cut it too short
- Fix a piece of cotton, using tweezers, under the part your toenail is ingrown
- Use the nail clippers to remove a small portion of the ingrown part
- Repeat the process severally until desired results are achieved
How to prevent ingrown nails
Ingrown nails are often not as a result of negligence. All the same, much can be done to prevent them. Below are tips that may help. Understand the causes: What causes an ingrown toe nail? The common causes include:- Trauma
- Ill-fitting footwear
- Not trimming your nails properly
- Cutting your nails too short
- Having a hereditary condition that makes your nails unusually curvy
- Having a thick nail plate
When to see a doctor
Ingrown nails are not one of those conditions that should give you sleepless nights. A couple of tools and remedies can get rid of them pretty easily. This is not always the case however. [RELATED] Some people only get relief after ingrown nail removal surgery. For example, an abscess may form underneath an ingrown nail. Such can result in a serious bone infection without medical treatment. Recurrence is also a common problem that requires medical treatment. Patients with a recurrence problem may get a portion of or the entire nail plate and matrix ablated. See your doctor any time you are to notice signs of infection or feel like the condition is a bit too complicated for you to handle at home. The good thing with medical treatment is that relief is almost immediate. This can be very important when dealing with ingrown thumbnail symptoms when you are an office worker who has some typing to do. It is not fair to assume that ingrown nails are entirely a problem in humans alone. Apparently, dogs and cats too can be affected, especially if they are indoor pets. You can consider mastering the basic dog or cat ingrown nail removal steps, just in case. [post_title] => How to Get Rid Of or Fix an Ingrown Finger Nail and Relief with Epsom Salt [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => how-to-get-rid-of-or-fix-an-ingrown-finger-nail-and-relief-with-epsom-salt [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-05-15 14:38:03 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:38:03 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://skinanswer.com/?p=6335 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 6337 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2018-05-15 14:32:32 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:32:32 [post_content] => If you have ever suffered an ingrown nail, you are familiar with how painful and discomforting it can get. The worst comes when bacteria find a way into the mess to cause more pain and potentially dangerous complications like a bone infection. Basically, an ingrown nail occurs when the edge of a nail curves and grows into the skin on either side of nail plate. The curved nail does this by actually cutting into the skin. This causes swelling, pain and tenderness which are the typical symptoms of an ingrown nail. Anyone can get this condition. Common causes include unusually curved nails, ill-fitting footwear, trauma and improper trimming of nails. Unless your ingrown nail is infected, recurrent or very large, you can easily get rid of it at home. This article focuses on how to take out an ingrown nail, both with and without surgery.How to take out an ingrown nail with a nail tool
One main option to getting rid of an ingrown nail is to take it out. Below are the basic steps to how to use an ingrown nail tool for removal. Soak in warm water: The first thing you need to do before taking that ingrown nail out is soak it in warm water. For best results, add Epsom salts to the water. Epsom salts help soften the skin and also reduce swelling so that the nail will be more visible. Warm water relieves pain and reduces swelling. It may help with ingrown thumbnail symptoms for those with some typing to do. [RELATED] Remove the nail: Once you are convinced that the nail can be removed, the time to put a customized ingrown nail clipper or tool to work will have come. If you don’t have a customized tool, you can use an emery board or ordinary nail clippers. Use tweezers to lift the ingrown nail. Place a cotton wisp between the nail and skin. Gently and cautiously, cut a small portion of the ingrown nail edge. You can consider filing it down with an emery board instead. Keep trimming until you achieve the desired results.
Keep bacteria away:
The last thing you want to deal with is a bacterial infection that could have been prevented. During and after the procedure, generously clean the area and apply an antiseptic. Dry off and then apply an antibiotic ointment before bandaging.
Closely monitor:
Chances are that the ingrown nail will grow back after a couple of days. You can repeat the process routinely or seek other removal methods. Also, you should be on the lookout for signs of infection.
Note that is has not been suggested that you use tweezers to pull out an ingrown nail. Using just any kind of tool to pull out an ingrown nail will only leave you with broken skin, which is a classic portal of entry for bacteria.
How to take out an ingrown nail without surgery
Not everyone is open to the idea of using an ingrown nail clipper or tool. So what is the available alternative? If you can succeed in reducing the swelling significantly, chances are that you will be able to cure an ingrown nail without surgery. Below are tips that may help reduce swelling due to an ingrown nail.
Soak in Epsom salt water:
Start with adding the amount of Epsom salt recommended on its package to warm water, at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Soak in the water for 15-20 minutes 3 or more times a day. The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt will draw fluid and perhaps ingrown nail pus out thus reducing swelling. Epsom salt ingrown nail treatment is actually very popular and not without a good reason.
Massage as you soak:
While your foot is still submerged in the water, massage the affected toe for about 5 minutes. You may notice some pus oozing from the toe. This is in fact a good sign. The ingrown nail pus will be carrying toxins out with it. Massage is particularly effective during ingrown toenail treatment.
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Clean and dry:
Cleanliness is of much importance when dealing with an ingrown nail. This means that you may be required to use fresh water to rinse your foot. After that, pat dry with a clean towel. You can use an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide or apple cider vinegar. Both can either be applied directly or be added to the water you are to soak in.
Consider lifting the nail:
If the ingrown nail is not too painful, you can place cotton or a dental floss between it and the nail edge skin. This helps keep the nail from cutting into the skin until it is long enough to grow normally on its own.
Apply an antibiotic ointment:
You should always remember that bacteria are a constant threat as long as the ingrown nail has not resolved. To avoid the complications of infection, apply an antibiotic ointment about 3 times a day or as directed.
Ingrown nail pus removal
Ingrown nail pus is not a good sign. Whenever pus discharge is involved, it indicates presence of bacteria.
Treating an infected ingrown nail is not a very good idea. Even if you are to succeed in drawing some of the pus out, colonies of bacteria will keep getting larger and deeper into the skin. The worst comes when the infection reaches the fingertip bone or blood system.
Even antibiotic ointments and antiseptics will not be enough to sufficiently cure an infected ingrown nail. What you require is treatment with oral or IV antibiotics. Such can only be prescribed by a doctor.
If the infection is pretty deep or has resulted in abscesses, surgery may be necessary. Your doctor will discuss the options with you. Surgery will be done under a local anesthetic, so you don’t have to worry about intolerable pain.
Similar to in humans, pus discharge also indicates infection in cat or dog ingrown nail. You may want to have your vet have a look.
How to prevent ingrown nails
Prevention can help a lot when it comes to managing ingrown nails. Below are prevention measures you can try. Get your nails trimmed: Even though it may feel cool to cut your nails into triangular shapes, it is not something you want to do when aiming to keep ingrown nails away. The recommended option is to trim your nails straight across. Also, don’t cut your nails too short. Nail biting is in fact considered an ingrown nail risk factor. Consider filing rather than cutting if your nails are already short. Avoid ill-fitting footwear: High heels and ill-fitting shoes will not hesitate to crowd your toenails which in turn encourages ingrown nails. Still on the same point, try to minimize trauma to your fingers. Start-stop sports such as basketball and tennis for example are known to encourage ingrown nails. But since sports are pretty important to a lot of people, ensure to wear the correct type of shoes. [RELATED] Understand the causes and know the symptoms: If an ingrown nail is caught early before it actually penetrates deep into the skin, it can be removed with ease. Common causes include:- Ill-fitting shoes
- Unusually curved nails
- Trauma
- Thick nail plate
- Trimming your nails improperly
- Nail biting
- Swelling
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Pus discharge
Get medical attention
You can keep dealing with recurring cases of ingrown nails. Sometimes, it is easier to have the troublesome nail removed surgically. Your doctor will opt for partial or complete nail plate and matrix removal. Ingrown nail treatment after surgery takes about 2 days, after which you will be able to go about your usual business. This is unless the surgery was very invasive. [post_title] => How To Take Out an Ingrown Nail With a Tool and Complications Like Pus [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => how-to-take-out-an-ingrown-nail-with-a-tool-and-complications-like-pus [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-05-15 14:40:01 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:40:01 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://skinanswer.com/?p=6337 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 6331 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2018-05-15 14:32:20 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:32:20 [post_content] => Many of us have experienced ingrown nails or will experience them at some point in life. They are among the most common nail problems. Basically, an ingrown nail occurs when the edge of a nail curves and cuts into the surrounding skin. This may happen on both sides or just one side of the nail bed. You may or may not be able to see the edge. Typical signs of an ingrown nail include swelling, pain and tenderness. It is not uncommon for a bacterial or fungal infection to be involved. Infections are characterized by spreading and severe pain and ingrown nail pus formation. Ingrown nails are caused by trauma, incorrect nail trimming, and unusually deep nail biting. Most cases of ingrown nails are treated at home. However, recurrent, severe or infected ingrown nails often require some medical attention. This article centers on ingrown nail treatment with surgery.What is ingrown nail surgery?
As the name suggests, it is a treatment option for getting rid of troublesome ingrown nails. Below are types of ingrown nail surgery. Winograd technique: This procedure involves making a skin incision on the upper part of the nail without cutting the nail plate. After the incision, the ingrown part of the nail will be exposed after which a portion of it is to be cut. The nail matrix underneath the ingrown portion is also excised. This keeps the nail from growing back. Afterwards, the incised skin is put to its initial position before dressing the affected toe. [RELATED] Partial nail plate removal: During this procedure, the part of nail to be removed is lifted and cut up to its origin. The operation is usually done under a local anesthesia. This type of surgery is quite simple. Patients will be able to use footwear in about 4 days. The problem is that chances of recurrence are high. Complete nail plate removal: As the name suggests, this procedure involves completely getting rid of the nail plate. It is not a popular form of ingrown nail treatment. In most cases, the option is considered when partial nail removal doesn’t work or when there are abscesses that won’t resolve with partial nail removal. Even worse, recurrence rate is very high after this procedure.
Wedge resection:
Wedge resection is often considered for infected ingrown nails. During the procedure, the ingrown portion of nail, involved nail matrix and affected soft tissue are all removed. Recurrence rate is low after this surgery.
Full nail avulsion:
During this procedure, the nail matrix is ablated. This means that a new nail will not be able to grow back. Ablation is often done with a chemical known as phenol. Electric current or laser may be used as an alternative. The operation can be done fully, where the nail matrix is completely ablated or partially.
Zadik procedure:
After this procedure, the nail will never grow back again. It involves removal of the whole nail and the tissue that makes nails grow. The treatment is considered for recurring ingrown nails.
Nail fold reduction:
If you are concerned about how your nail will look after surgery, nail fold reduction or removal may be the best option for you. During the procedure, only the soft tissue will be operated on.
As it can be seen, there are different options you can choose from when considering an ingrown nail surgery. Procedures that may permanently change how nails look are indicated for older patients who are not much cosmetically concerned. But at the end of the day, you will be the one to make a final decision. Your doctor may be able to help further.
After ingrown toenail surgery does the nail grow back?
Nails are made of keratin. Under your skin, there is a little factory of nails called the matrix. It keeps making new nail cells which push the older ones above them thus making nails grow. The cuticle keeps germs from reaching the matrix. [RELATED] So after ingrown toenail surgery does the nail grow back? As we have seen, the main necessity for nail growth is the matrix. As long as the matrix is present, your nails will keep growing back regardless of the number of times you have them removed. Note that we don’t solely refer to the cuticle or the silvery part that doesn’t hurt when cut when talking about nails. In fact, the nail plate is the largest portion of nails. This means that it will also grow back even after complete nail plate removal. Some surgeries involve ablation of the nail matrix. You will not be able to have your nails back after such surgeries. It is for this reason that such surgeries are indicated for older patients who are less concerned about looks. Be sure to ask your doctor whether the surgery you may be considering involves ablation of the matrix. If it does, note that your nail will not be able to grow back. What most doctors do is perform partial matrix ablation. This ensures that nails only fail to grow back on edges where they may grow into skin to cause ingrown nails.Is ingrown nail treatment with surgery painful?
During ingrown nail treatment with surgery, a local anesthetic is used. This numbs your finger or toe so that you will not feel pain. Any pain or discomfort afterwards can be managed with over the counter pain relievers.
It is also probable that a bandage will be applied after the surgery. It makes it possible for patients to perform daily tasks such as showering with minimum inconvenience. Patients are advised to wear loose-fitting shoes, preferably sneakers for a period of about 2 weeks after surgery. Tight-fitting shoes and high heels force your toenails to crowd together and thus encourage ingrown toenails. You may want to avoid them after surgery. Another preventive measure involves trimming your nails straight across to allow for uniform growth of nail cuticles.
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Most ingrown nail surgical procedures are not that invasive. In fact, complete nail plate removal takes about 20 minutes. Such an operation will most likely not prove intolerably painful if pain is present at all.
Why consider ingrown nail surgery
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ingrown nail surgery? Advantages:- It may provide a permanent solution to recurrent ingrown nails
- It provides quicker relief to painful ingrown nails compared to treatment at home
- Surgery is a much more practical way to deal with infected ingrown nails, especially when abscesses are involved
- Not recommended for people with blood circulation complications
- It is possible that cosmetic appearance of your nail may be manipulated
- Requires several days of aftercare
What are the available alternatives to ingrown nail surgery?
Not always is ingrown nail surgery necessary. In fact, most people deal with ingrown nails at home. Below are other ingrown toenail treatment options you can try:- Warm water – Soaking the affected toenail in lukewarm water provides relief to pain and may reduce swelling. You can add Epsom salts or apple cider vinegar to the water for better results.
- Tea tree oil – To keep an ingrown nail from getting infected, apply tea tree oil several times a day. In fact, you can alternatively use other essential oils such as coconut oil and olive oil. Essential oils are known to reduce pain and prevent infection. They also can be used as part of dog ingrown nail options. Note that tea tree oil will not cure an already infected ingrown nail.
- Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar has two main properties that can help with ingrown toenail treatment. It is an anti-inflammatory and has antimicrobial properties. ACV can be applied directly or be added to foot soak water. Direct application is more practical for an ingrown thumbnail infection.
- Epsom salts – Epsom salt ingrown nail treatment helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Add ¾ cup of the salts to a bowl of warm water and soak the affected toe or finger for 15 minutes.
- Antibiotic ointment – Antibiotic ointments keep ingrown toenails from becoming infected. Infected ingrown toenails take longer to heal and can result in even more serious complications. To avoid this, use an over the counter antibacterial ointment such as Bactroban.
- Foot elevation – This works for ingrown toenails, especially for people with circulatory problems. Elevation promotes sufficient blood flow in the affected foot. This can reduce swelling and promote faster recovery.
- Preventive measures – Successful recovery from an ingrown toenail doesn’t mean that it will not recur or affect another nail. To stay on the safe side, learn more about how to prevent ingrown nails. For instance, people who bite their nails are more likely to be affected. Also, cutting your nails too short may break the balance between the growth of nails and nail edge skin.
What is an ingrown nail; its causes and symptoms?
You probably have experienced an ingrown nail, whether on toes or fingers. But exactly what is an ingrown nail? Also referred to as onychocryptosis, an ingrown nail is among the common form of nail conditions. Nails have sharp edges which sometimes curve such that they cut the skin surrounding them. This can happen on both sides of the nail bed. [RELATED] Causes: There are different reasons why you may be having an ingrown thumbnail. They include:- Trimming your thumbnail incorrectly
- Cutting your thumbnail too short
- Trauma or injuries to the thumb
- Hereditary conditions which lead to unusually curved thumbnails
- swelling
- pain
- tenderness
- infection
If the nail has penetrated deeply, the affected area may become red. Sometimes, you will not be able to see the part of the thumbnail that has grown into the skin. Not always will infection accompany an ingrown thumbnail. An infection in the tissues that surround either a toenail or a fingernail is known as paronychia. Most cases are staph infections, although it could be a fungal infection caused by candida. When ingrown nails become infected, a number of complications may arise. This is why medical treatment for infected ingrown nails is very important.
Ingrown thumbnail treatment
Most people are able to treat ingrown thumbnails at home. Should you notice signs of ingrown thumbnail infection, seek medical attention as soon as you can. Also, consider medical ingrown thumbnail treatment if the condition doesn’t improve within 5 days of treatment at home. Your doctor may choose any of the following options. Use of antibiotics: Antibiotics are medicines that treat bacterial infections. Mild cases respond well to creams or ointments while serious cases require oral or IV antibiotics. If an infected ingrown thumbnail is left untreated, you can end up with a serious bone infection. Common signs of infection are extreme pain, pus formation, warmth and tenderness. Lifting the nail: An ingrown thumbnail that is yet to penetrate deep into the skin can be lifted so that it separates from the skin. To keep it from curving back, a dental floss or cotton wisp will be placed under the nail. This operation can in fact be done at home. The problem is that you can end up introducing infection into the already compromised thumbnail during and after the process. Diabetes patients are particularly advised not to attempt the procedure at home. [RELATED] Partial ingrown nail removal: Ingrown thumbnail removal can be done partially. During the procedure, a portion of the nail that is growing into the skin will be removed. Large ingrown nails are often removed treated this way. After removal, you will be required to monitor the nail as it grows back. Ingrown nail removal surgery: Recurring ingrown thumbnails can be removed surgically. Partial removal is more common than complete removal of the nail bed. After ingrown toenail surgery does the nail grow back? Your nail will still grow back after the procedure. Your doctor will help you make the best decision on how to best deal with an ingrown thumbnail. The good thing about medically treating ingrown nails is that relief from pain and swelling will almost be immediate. Treatment at home may be with ultimately desirable effects but will most likely take longer to be achieved.Ingrown thumbnail treatment at home
With the right remedy, you can successfully treat an ingrown thumbnail at home. Below are "how to remove an ingrown thumbnail" tips that you can try. Soak in warm water: Soaking the affected thumb in warm water for 15-20 minutes is a classic way to provide relief to pain and reduce swelling. For better results, you can add apple cider vinegar or Epsom salts to the water. Ensure to get rid of the moisture after the soak. If you have any bandages or cotton dressings on, replace them after soaking.
Use antibiotic ointment:
An infected ingrown thumbnail is the last thing you want. It makes matters more complicated than necessary. To avoid infection, use an antibacterial ointment such as neomycin on daily basis. Ensure to bandage the affected area after application.
Lift ingrown thumbnail:
You can lift a small ingrown thumbnail yourself. First, soak the affected thumb in warm water for 15 minutes. Lift the ingrown nail and place a piece of cotton or dental floss between the nail and skin. The reason why this process is potentially dangerous is because bacteria can build colonies in the cotton and invade your thumb. So remember to use an antiseptic or routinely soak it in apple cider vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions.
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Take pain relievers:
Pain is a main symptom of ingrown nails. It gets worse when infection is involved. The good thing is that you can purchase over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen to help with the pain.
Home remedies for ingrown thumbnail
The correct home remedy may not only help with treatment but can also prevent infection. Below is a list of remedies that may help. Warm water: Anyone can access some lukewarm water several times a day. Soaking ingrown toenails in warm water several times a day helps relieve pain, swelling and tenderness. It may also help draw pus towards the surface. Start by soaking for 15 minutes 3 times a day. Tea tree oil: Tea tree is a popular essential oil. It can help with both bacterial and fungal infections. In fact, tea tree oil is not the only essential oil that may prove helpful. Most essential oils provide relief to pain and also help prevent infection. Other good examples include coconut oil, lavender oil, olive oil and oregano oil. The best way to use them is by applying directly. Remember to dilute with carrier oil to avoid irritation. Epsom salts: For a painful and swollen ingrown thumbnail, Epsom salts are a very good option to consider. They also come in handy when you are intending to remove the ingrown toenail from the skin it has grown into. The salts help soften the skin. Dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom salts in a bowl of lukewarm water. Soak the affected thumb for 15-20 minutes. Ensure to dry your thumb completely afterwards and replace bandages or other dressings. Hydrogen peroxide: You probably have used hydrogen peroxide on multiple occasions. It is a very potent antiseptic and may help reduce pain. You can use diluted hydrogen peroxide directly or mix half a cup with same amount of water and soak in it for 20 minutes.
Apple cider vinegar:
Like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar may help with bacterial and fungal infections. In fact, it also has anti-inflammation properties and therefore can be used to treat swollen ingrown thumbnail. You can use a cotton ball to apply apple cider vinegar directly. Alternatively, the remedy can be added to a bowl of water to soak in. Ensure to dilute apple cider vinegar before use.
These can also act as home remedies for ingrown toenail. As you may have realized, there is not much of a difference between ingrown toenails and ingrown fingernails.
How to remove an ingrown thumbnail at home
With the right nail tool such as a clipper, you can remove an ingrown thumbnail yourself. Before the operation, prepare some warm water and collect tweezers, cotton wool and an antiseptic. [RELATED] Lift the ingrown nail and place a piece of cotton under it. Before this, soak your thumb for 15 minutes to make the skin soft. Use the tweezers to get hold of the ingrown nail and trim it with an ingrown nail tool. Ensure to generously use the antiseptic throughout the operation. If ingrown nails are a common problem you have to deal with, consider learning more on how to get rid of an ingrown nail, how to prevent or how to fix them. For example, you are advised to trim your nails straight across and also not to cut them too short. Ingrown nails are not a problem for humans alone. Apparently, even cats and dogs can be victims. Since most cases do not require you to contact your vet, you can consider learning more about dog and cat ingrown nail removal. [post_title] => What is an Ingrown Thumb Nail: Symptoms, Infection, Removal and Treatment [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => what-is-an-ingrown-thumb-nail-symptoms-infection-removal-and-treatment [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-05-15 14:43:01 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:43:01 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://skinanswer.com/?p=6329 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [5] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 6327 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2018-05-15 14:31:58 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:31:58 [post_content] => You get an ingrown toenail when the edge of a toenail grows into the soft surrounding skin. It is one of the most common toenail problems. Other than causing pain, ingrown toenails are quite annoying and, even worse, can result in infection. Pain, swelling and redness are the typical signs of an ingrown toenail. In serious cases, there will be the formation of pus preceded by severe discomfort. Medical attention is necessary when it comes to that. Most people with ingrown toenails are able to recover at home. In fact, an infection is perhaps the only main complication that may occur. In this article, we look at what causes an ingrown toenail, its symptoms, treatment and how to cure it with home remedies.What causes an ingrown toenail?
The toenail consists of various anatomical parts. These include nail plate, nail bed, nail folds and the cuticle. As mentioned earlier, an ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of toenail curves and grows into the soft skin surrounding the nail bed. The big toe is commonly affected. So what causes an ingrown toenail? [RELATED] Nails are supposed to grow uniformly. This means that any increment in nail size will spark a matching increment in the nail skin edge to compensate it. If this doesn’t happen, you end up with ingrown toenail. Below are the common causes:- trauma such as during nail picking
- tight shoes which make your toenails crowd together
- a hereditary condition that may give you curved toenails (pincer nails)
- not properly cutting your nails
- having a thick nail plate
Some people are more likely to develop ingrown toenails than others. For instance, people who play basketball or tennis frequently exert sudden pressure on their feet. This can ultimately result in an ingrown toenail. Some postures and gaits may cause uneven distribution of pressure on the feet and in the process force the nail edge skin to press against the toenail. Much the same may be caused by swelling of lower feet. Excessive sweating of the feet can make nail edge skin become very soft and therefore prone to curved toenails.
What are the symptoms of ingrown toenail?
It is easy to recognize an ingrown toenail during physical examination even without the need for medical diagnosis. Common symptoms include:- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Infected surrounding tissue
Ingrown toenail treatment
In a clinic, a doctor will most likely not require lab tests for diagnosis. This is unless complications created by infection are involved. Medical ingrown toenail treatment is considered when treatment at home fails to deliver as desired. It can be done by: Nail removal: This option helps treat a recurring ingrown toenail. A part of nail and nail bed will be surgically removed. After ingrown toenail surgery does the nail grow back? Most parts of the nail will grow back. [RELATED] Partial removal: Rather than removing a portion of the nail itself, only the ingrown part is removed. It provides quick relief for large ingrown toenails. Nail lifting: This option works best for mild ingrown toenails. Here, your doctor will lift the ingrown toenail and use a separating material to keep it from returning to its original position. Medical treatment is the best option for infected, recurring or severely painful ingrown toenail. In fact, you may be put on antibiotics as part of treatment.How to cure ingrown toenail at home
An ingrown toenail can also be treated at home. Below are tips for how to cure ingrown toenail at home:
Use lukewarm water:
Soaking the affected toenail in lukewarm water provides relief to pain and may reduce swelling. For best results, add Epsom salts into the water and soak in for 15 minutes.
Keep affected foot elevated:
Elevation promotes sufficient blood flow in the affected foot. This can reduce swelling and promote faster recovery.
Treat with apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar has two main properties that can help with ingrown toenail treatment. It is an anti-inflammatory and has antimicrobial properties. ACV can be applied directly or be added to soaking water.
Place dental floss under affected nail:
If you are to place dental floss under the affected nail, it may grow in the normal direction. Be careful when implementing this option because it can introduce bacteria under the nail. This is especially an issuewhen cotton wisps are used in place of dental floss.
Treat with antibiotic ointment:
Infected ingrown toenails take longer to heal and can result in even more serious complications. To avoid this, use an over the counter antibacterial ointment such as Bactroban.
Take pain medications:
Ingrown toenails can sometimes become very painful. Quite a number of pain medications are available over the counter. You can use such medications to provide relief.
Try anti-inflammatory medications:
Swelling can aggravate the extent to which ingrown toenail enters the skin. This can be prevented with anti-inflammatory creams or drugs such as ibuprofen.
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Avoid improper footwear:
High heels and tight shoes are leading causes of ingrown toenails. They force your toenails to crowd and also exert unnecessary pressure on your toenails. If you must wear such shoes, consider cushioning with a toe protector or a toe brace.
Trim your toenails properly:
When cutting your toenails, ensure to do it straight across. Be sure to not dig into corners. Also, avoid cutting them very short.
How to get rid of an ingrown toenail by trimming
The option to cut or trim an ingrown toenail is always open. It is however important that you learn how to cut or how to fix the ingrown toenail properly. Below are the steps:- You will need warm water, nail clippers/trimmers, tweezers, cotton wool and antiseptic.
- Soak affected foot in the warm water for 15 minutes
- Trim the nail straight across but ensure not to cut it too short
- Fix a piece of cotton, using tweezers, under the part your toenail is ingrown
- Use the nail clippers to remove a small portion of the ingrown part
- Repeat the process several times until the desired results are achieved
Home remedies for ingrown toenail
Below is a list of home remedies for ingrown toenail that you can try:
Epsom salts:
Epsom salts come in handy when you are intending to remove the ingrown toenail from the skin it has grown into. The salts help soften the skin. The best way to use Epsom salt ingrown nail treatment is adding them to warm water and soaking the affected foot for 20 minutes.
Apple cider vinegar:
As mentioned earlier, this home remedy can be used as an antiseptic and also as an anti-inflammatory remedy.
Warm water:
Soaking ingrown toenails in warm water several times a day helps relieve pain, swelling and tenderness. Start by soaking for 15 minutes 3 times a day.
Essential oils:
Essential oils provide relief to pain and also help prevent infection. Good examples include tea tree oil, coconut oil and oregano oil. The best way to use them is by applying directly. Remember to dilute with carrier oil to avoid irritation.
Hydrogen peroxide:
You probably have used hydrogen peroxide on multiple occasions. It is a very potent antiseptic and may help reduce pain. You can use diluted hydrogen peroxide directly or mix half a cup with same amount of water and soak in for 20 minutes.
Possible complications
Ingrown toenails are common problems. Without proper care, bacteria can reach superficial tissue or even the toe bone to cause serious infection. People with diabetes, circulatory issues or compromised immune systems are advised to seek medical treatment. The same goes for potential ingrown thumb nail infection. [RELATED] Formation of pus in an ingrown toenail indicates a bacterial infection. It should be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible. Left alone, infection can travel to blood system or bones. It is uncommon for ingrown toenails to cause serious complications that may require surgical removal of the whole toe. Even when surgery is involved, it is usually to get rid of a portion of the troublesome nail. [post_title] => What Causes an Ingrown Toenail and How to Cure it With Home Remedies [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => what-causes-an-ingrown-toenail-and-how-to-cure-it-with-home-remedies [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2018-05-15 14:44:45 [post_modified_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:44:45 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://skinanswer.com/?p=6327 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 6 [current_post] => -1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 6333 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2018-05-15 14:32:53 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-05-15 14:32:53 [post_content] => In humans, an ingrown nail occurs when the edge of a nail curves and grows into the surrounding skin. This causes swelling, pain and tenderness. Sometimes, the affected nail can become infected. A much similar phenomenon can occur in dogs and cats. Since pain will also be present, treating ingrown nails in pets can be particularly difficult. You may have to involve your veterinarian. In this article, we look at the causes, symptoms and available solutions to ingrown nails in dogs and cats. The information provided here is not meant to replace any instructions provided by a veterinarian.What causes cat and dog ingrown nail?
The main cause of cat and dog ingrown nail is the curling back of untrimmed nails. Outdoor dogs and cats constantly have their nails trimmed by Mother Nature. As for indoor pets, the same may not happen. Your dog or cat can suffer a broken or split nail. If the nail is not trimmed, it may curl back and pierce the flesh, causing an ingrown nail. [RELATED] Old age can also result in ingrown nails. Again, this is more likely to happen if trimming is not done. Older pets have longer nails which can easily grow long enough to pierce the flesh. Symptoms: Pain and discomfort are the main symptoms of dog and cat ingrown nail. There will also be swelling and tenderness. On close inspection, you will notice an unusually long or abnormally growing nail. The ingrown portion may be hidden by flesh. If the ingrown nail is infected, pus may be present.Dog and cat ingrown nail removal
If your pet is used to trimming, you may succeed in removing an ingrown nail on your own. If not, you may want to involve your vet. Ingrown nails are fairly painful and sometimes require sedation. Below are basic dog and cat ingrown nail removal steps.
Restraining:
You will most probably need some help with restraining your pet before the operation. You can try restraining the pet on a table and stand on the opposite side to the foot you are about to operate on. Place one of your hands on the pet’s neck to keep the head resting on the table. Another option is to have the pet lay on his/her side or kneel on the floor next to the pet and act like you are hugging him/her to your chest.
As you can see, it is easier to have someone helping you. Otherwise, you may be forced to muzzle your pet.
Trimming:
There are various types of nail clippers you can use. For a large dog ingrown nail, use a guillotine type of scissors. Ordinary nail clippers or even a pair of blunt scissors can still get the job done unless your pet is quite large. The trimming process is straightforward. Once the pet is restrained and ingrown nail identified, hold the nail clippers with your most active hand and cut the claw where it has penetrated flesh. Remember that your pet will still need his/her claws, so leave him enough of it. There may be a bit of pain when the claw is cut and there may be some bleeding. Your pet is likely to flinch, so be prepared for that. Consider watching a video illustration on how to take out an ingrown nail in dogs or cats.
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Finalizing:
A piece of your pet’s claw will be stuck in his/her pad. Use your fingers or tweezers to get it out. Ensure that the tweezers are blunt tipped to avoid piercing your pet’s pad. Once done, use an antiseptic to clean affected paw. This will help avoid infection. There may be a bit of bleeding, but that should not make you alarmed.
Dog and cat ingrown nail removal cost
What is the average dog or cat ingrown nail removal cost if you decide to have it done by a professional?
It is hard to put an actual figure to the cost of having a professional get rid of an ingrown nail from your pet. The best thing is to call and ask them.
Your vet will likely perform a full vet examination and clip the ingrown nail as part of the examination. In this case, the total cost will include that of clipping the nail. Average cost can be anywhere from $30 - $200.
A personal vet may include the cost in an annual checkup price. If you are only interested in getting the ingrown nail clipped, the cost may be about $10 or even less.
Average cost will be affected by factors such as need for antibiotics, sedation and aftercare services. Vet services are particularly important if your pet is not used to trimming.
How to prevent ingrown nails in dogs and cats
Ingrown nails can cause your pet a lot of pain and discomfort. Luckily, there are ways to prevent them.
The most important prevention measure is regular trimming. For indoor pets, it is recommended that routine trimming be done after every 28-40 days. Make sure to just trim the tip. If you go too deep, you will end up with an irritated pet with a bleeding foot pad.
If your pet’s nails are allowed to grow too long, they can easily crack or split. This may be extremely painful for him/her. It is always advisable to have a professional do the trimming. But if you’ve got the experience, the process can be done at home.
To avoid infection and relieve symptoms of ingrown nails such as swelling, try soaking your pet’s paw in water into which Epsom salts have been added. Apple cider vinegar can be used in place of Epsom salts. They help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Epsom salts and apple cider vinegar are more popular in ingrown toe nail treatment. But since the process by which ingrown nails occur is not very different in humans and animals, these home remedies may be of some help. For Epsom salt ingrown nail treatment, add ¾ cup of the salts into a bowl of water. Let your pet’s pad remain in the water for 15-20 minutes. Apple cider vinegar can be applied directly with a cotton ball or be added into water to soak in, much like Epsom salts.
If you notice widespread swelling, unceasing discomfort or pus discharge, you might want to see your vet as soon as possible. Such are signs of infection. If not treated, the infection can quickly become serious and potentially dangerous.
[RELATED]
It is common for pets to keep licking the affected pad throughout the recovery process. A collar can help in that case. This is again why it is important to have a vet be in charge of the treatment process.
Ingrown nail treatment after surgery doesn’t require much. You only need to keep an eye on the healing process. This is to ensure that the affected pad doesn’t contract bacterial infection. If it does, call your vet. They will prescribe oral antibiotics. In humans, ingrown thumbnail treatment for example, topical antibiotic ointment is recommended even before infection occurs. This option may not be very practical for pets since it is recommended that a bandage be applied after application. We all know what will happen if you place a bandage on your pet’s pad: it'll be gone before you know it.
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Over 6 articles spanning numerous of Ingrown Nail topics.
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Cat & Dog Ingrown Nail Removal and Treatment
In humans, an ingrown nail occurs when the edge of a nail curves and grows into the surrounding skin. This causes swelling, pain and tenderness.
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How to Get Rid Of or Fix an Ingrown Finger Nail and Relief with Epsom Salt
Ingrown nails are common problems. Basically, an ingrown nail occurs when the edge of a nail curves and cuts into the skin surrounding the nail
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How To Take Out an Ingrown Nail With a Tool and Complications Like Pus
If you have ever suffered an ingrown nail, you are familiar with how painful and discomforting it can get. The worst comes when bacteria find
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Does the Nail Grow Back after Ingrown Toe Nail Surgery with Treatment?
Many of us have experienced ingrown nails or will experience them at some point in life. They are among the most common nail problems. Basically,
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What is an Ingrown Thumb Nail: Symptoms, Infection, Removal and Treatment
Ingrown nails usually affect toenails but can also occur on the fingers. The shape of your fingertip bone shapes your fingernails. This makes it possible
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What Causes an Ingrown Toenail and How to Cure it With Home Remedies
You get an ingrown toenail when the edge of a toenail grows into the soft surrounding skin. It is one of the most common toenail
