Ingrown Toenail Home Remedies
An ingrown toenail is a common condition that afflicts the toenails, one that is medically known as onychocryptosis. The term is somewhat misleading, giving the impression that the nail grows too deeply into the flesh. What actually happens is that the nail grows in such a way that the edges of the nail start to press into the surrounding flesh. Initially, this might only be slightly uncomfortable. However, in most cases the condition deteriorates to the point where the flesh around the nail becomes inflamed. At this stage, an ingrown nail gets quite painful. Often the nail presses into the flesh so badly that the skin breaks. The toe may therefore bleed, and bacteria may enter the break in the skin, starting an infection and complicating the situation.
Before looking at ingrown toenail home remedies, it is important to understand the causes of the condition. It is difficult to treat an ingrown toenail, but preventing it is quite simple. In a few cases, there may be genetic factors that cause the nails to grow oddly. Sometimes, disease may also damage the nails or the nail bed, causing the nails to grow with an unusual shape. In most cases however, the cause tends to be either bad footwear or bad nail care. If your shoes are too tight, especially at the toes, the toes tend to get pressed together tightly, or the nail can get pressed down into the flesh. Over time, this can develop into an ingrown toenail. Cutting your nails carelessly can also have a similar effect. If, instead of cutting the nail cleanly across, you cut it with excessively round or oblique edges, or even if the nail is cut too close, you may develop an ingrown toenail as the nail grows out again.
Most ingrown toenail home remedies involve soaking the feet in water. Usually, one is advised to add some Epsom salts to the water. After your feet dry, it is advisable to apply an antibacterial ointment. Lodging a piece of cotton under the nail is recommended as an ingrown toenail remedy in some cases. However, this is not always helpful, and it tends to increase the chances of infection. This remedy is therefore best avoided. Another ingrown toenail cure is hydrogen peroxide or iodine, especially if the toe has gotten infected. However, for severe cases of ingrown toenail, home remedies are not enough, and it is advisable to consult a podiatrist or at least your family doctor to treat the ingrown toe nail.
