This will reduce the pain and swelling after removal. Wear comfortable, open-toed shoes or shoes and socks that give your toe plenty of room. To prevent ingrown toenails in the future: Though having diabetes is not specifically a risk factor for ingrown toenails, if you have diabetes, you'll need to take extra care to look out for ingrown toe nails. Youll be able to return to normal activities after a few days, but avoid running and other strenuous activity for about two weeks. Toenails get thicker over time, are a likely a symptom of a fungal infection. In: Dermatology Secrets. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, people should avoid attempting bathroom surgery. This is because cutting the nail repeatedly or too short can make ingrowing worse over time and increase the risk of future ingrown nails. This deformity can affect any toe on your foot, Turf toe happens when you bend your big toe up toward the top of your foot too far. Wash your hands. Local anesthesia means that the person remains awake, but the doctor numbs the area so that the person cannot feel their toe. What can a doctor do for an ingrown toenail? According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, placing cotton under your nail may increase pain and allow harmful bacteria to thrive. ), footwear that places a lot of pressure on the big toes, such as socks and stockings that are too tight or shoes that are too tight, narrow, or flat for your feet, toenail injury, including stubbing your toe, dropping something heavy on your foot, or kicking a ball repeatedly, improper foot hygiene, such as not keeping your feet clean or dry, skin next to the nail becoming tender, swollen, or hard, soaking your feet in warm water for about 15 to 20 minutes three to four times per day (At other times, your shoes and feet should be kept dry. What causes a toenail to fall off, and what do you do when this happens? Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. include protected health information. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. But, there are some surgeries that research. Keep the corners of your nails straight or very slightly sloped. During a partial nail removal, the sides of the nail are cut away so that the edges are completely straight. Partial nail removal only involves removing the piece of nail that is digging into your skin. Some brands of toe protectors, such as Dr. Scholls, come with a medicated gel to help soften toenails for easy trimming. Your bandage is usually removed two days after surgery. see signs of an infection such as pain, redness, or pus on the toe, have a sore or infection anywhere on the feet, a fungal or bacterial infection in the nail, wearing tight, narrow, or poorly fitting shoes. There is a problem with Cleanse the area with tea tree oil or another disinfectant. Learn what symptoms to look for and how to treat this condition. Working on your feet all day can do a number on your feet, legs, and back. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Accessed Oct. 12, 2021. At home, you'll need to soak the toe and replace the material daily. Similarly, if you're immunocompromised, such as can occur if you're on chemotherapy, you should also take care to inspect your feet daily to make sure there's no infection. Leave them in there for about 15-20 minutes. The Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis of 2023, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How to Treat Plantar Warts at Home Naturally. See your doctor for treatment. Ingrown toenail management. 28, 2023, Ruben Castaneda and Angela HauptFeb. Although the internet offers plenty of advice for cutting out ingrown toenails, doing so at home can make the problem worse and increase the risk of infection. Ingrown toenails can be caused or exacerbated by a number of factors, including: Ingrown toenails can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but there are a few things you can do to relieve them with items you have in your own cupboard. It hasn't improved with about 5 days of home treatments. Here are some tips: One way to prevent cutting your toenail too short is to keep it even with the top part (tip) of your toe. It also means that section of your nail likely wont regrow. This can be painful! Toe braces are thin composite devices that hold the toe in place and shield the skin from as a new nail grows back. If you have a fungal nail infection you may need to take antifungal medication or apply a medicated cream to clear it up before your surgery. One example is if you wear the same shoes every day and those shoes compress your toes together or put pressure on the side of your toe and nail. Those with diabetes or nerve damage caused by circulatory diseases should be particularly vigilant, as lack . Your big toe is most likely to be affected. After surgery, your doctor will send you home with your toe bandaged. Vinegar is a common disinfectant that has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, so adding some vinegar to a tub of warm water and soaking for 15 to 20 minutes can help bring down some of. Follow these steps to treat an ingrown toenail: Soak the feet in warm water for about 15 minutes in order to soften the skin and nail. Our step-by-step process makes nail clipping easy and safe while reducing your chances for ingrown toenails, Several different medical conditions or injuries can create problems with your toenails, and most of them can be treated. However, if your toenail has pierced the skin, or there is any sign of infection, seek medical treatment. (2017). A doctor can help a person decide whether the toenail needs trimming or other treatment. You may have read, or heard that hours after the removal you can play basketball, run a marathon, etc. Last medically reviewed on September 4, 2018, Learn the proper way to cut toenails. Review/update the You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Nail disorders. The entire area will be thoroughly cleaned out.. Mayo Clinic Staff. This may cause pain, redness, and swelling. This will help prevent infection. Ingrown toenails irritate the skin. ), pushing skin away from the toenail edge with a cotton ball soaked in olive oil, using over-the-counter medicines, like acetaminophen (, applying a topical antibiotic, such as polymyxin and neomycin (both present in. (2018). This helps the nail grow above the skin edge. Ingrown toenails are common and usually treatable without surgery. Your doctor will advise you to wear open-toe shoes and to do daily salt water soaks until your toe heals. Pack the area with dental floss or cotton, tucking small bits of cotton or waxed dental floss. However, its easy to file your nails incorrectly, which can lead to jagged, Sharp pain in the big toe can have many causes. Lets understand whats happening with your toe so you can treat it successfully. Management of the ingrown toenail. Weve also recommended 7 shoes to consider for, Our feet get us around every day, and often in uncomfortable shoes. If you do need surgery, it can be done in a doctors office with local anesthesia. As an integral part of your everyday life, your feet experience a lot of wear and tear. Wear shoes that fit well. Avoid making them rounded or pointed. Whats Causing My Toenail Problems and How Do I Treat It? If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Use clippers specifically designed for toenails, since these are the right shape and provide enough force to quickly trim the nails. Got Diabetes? Last medically reviewed on August 12, 2019. Your doctor will give you wound care instructions to help prevent infection. To prepare you for surgery, your doctor will first clean and numb your toe with an anesthetic injection. Minor complications are common following nail surgery, though serious complications are rare. Home remedies and medical treatments can help relieve symptoms and prevent future infections. Repeat this at least twice per day. It happens most commonly on your big toe. Symptoms of an ingrown toenail can include pain and swelling of the toe. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The nail that grows back will be thinner than it was before. A toe protector provides a cushioning barrier for ingrown toenails. Excellent medical care and diligent home management can reduce the risk of complications following surgery and increase the likelihood of a full recovery with the regrowth of a healthy nail. You will also be prescribed pain relief medication and antibiotics to prevent infection. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Tags: health, patient advice, foot problems, infections. The American Academy of Dermatology also recommend that people avoid digging out or clipping an already ingrown nail. The most common surgeries for ingrown toenails include: A doctor may also cut deep into the nail bed to relieve swelling or drain infected tissue. It can also infect the toe bone. The condition is very common in both men and women. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Apply an antibiotic cream to the area twice a day or more. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. If an ingrown toenail doesnt improve with home remedies, partial or full removal of the nail may be necessary. People who repeatedly get ingrown toenails, especially with infections, should see a doctor. more difficult to know when the foot has been injured. The effectiveness of matrix cauterization with trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of ingrown toenails. See your doctor for follow-up appointments. (2011). Whats Causing a Sharp Pain in My Big Toe? Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? Now, there is a procedure that eliminates ingrown toenails. Here are some home remedies to try: Soak your feet in warm water. As an integral part of your everyday life, your feet experience a lot of wear and tear. This is common and can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. 3. You might also be prescribed oral antibiotics if your toenail was already infected. And, if you've ever been told to cut a notch in the center of the toenail to prevent ingrown toenails, "this is a myth," MacDonald says. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Warm, Soapy Water Soak 1.2 2. Knowing what is causing your ingrown nail can help prevent it from happening again. Our step-by-step process makes nail clipping easy and safe while reducing your chances for ingrown toenails. At-home remedies don't resolve your ingrown toenail You have recurring ingrown toenails You have another condition such as diabetes that makes complications more likely Depending on the circumstances, you might need to have part or all of your toenails removed. Sometimes, the nail may become infected. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toe. In: Procedural Dermatology. Apply a numbing cream or anti-inflammatory cream if needed. Cutting a toenail so short that it hurts or is much shorter than the toe increases the risk of the toenail growing into an unusual shape. Though ingrown toenails can afflict people of all ages, some people are more vulnerable to getting them than others. This new instrument, called the Dermajet, uses air pressure to place xylocaine (a light anesthetic) into your toe. (2015). Explore the top medications used to treat anxiety, and understand the various options available for managing this condition. Randomized controlled study. Ingrown fingernails can often be treated at home, but sometimes they'll require a trip to the doctor. Tongue scraping is an easy routine to remove food and bacteria from the surface of the tongue. Your doctor will use either a heated electrical device called a cautery or an acidic solution such as phenol or trichloroacetic acid to disrupt the nail matrix from which your nail grows. If your toe becomes infected, symptoms may include: Treat your ingrown toenail as soon as possible to avoid worsening symptoms. A Partial Nail Removal. Shoes with pointed toes may also increase the risk, particularly when they are uncomfortable or pinch the toes. Applying Antibiotic Ointments Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Ingrown toenail treatment may include placing cotton under the edge of the nail to separate the nail from the overlying skin. It also increases the risk of a misshapen toenail as it grows back. Overview. "You need to check your feet, check your feet and be careful with what you do with your feet," Grant says. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables to help you heal well, and avoid smoking. When an ingrown toenail does occur, there are some home remedies that can help. Follow these closely. This was done to relieve pain and discomfort due to an ingrown toenail. Medications to treat fungal infections of the toenail can sometimes cause side effects. Mayeaux EJ, et al. Instead of growing straight, the toenail edge curls down, digging into the skin and flesh. A person can help speed their recovery after ingrown toenail surgery by: soaking the foot in warm water or Epsom salts every day. Is my condition temporary or long term (chronic)? Toenails get thicker over time, are a likely a symptom of a fungal infection. Surgery or nail removal is rarely needed. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. McGraw Hill Education; 2015. Here's why your toenails might be yellow and the treatment options. Sometimes, even with successful surgery, the problem occurs again. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.