Ingrown toenail: treatment options

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Onychocryptosis is a common disease characterized by ingrowth of the nail plate into the lateral edge of the nail fold. The clinical picture is complemented by inflammation, redness, swelling, pain, constant pulsation and discomfort while walking.

The problem cannot be ignored, because it is recurrent in nature. An ingrown toenail can be treated at home early on. Try not to start the disease, otherwise there is a high probability of the appearance of an ulcer, purulent discharge, then pathological granulations. In this case, surgical intervention is required.

Home treatment algorithm

You must understand that home remedies are only effective in the early stages of the disease. The sooner you begin treatment, the higher your chances of a speedy recovery. But this does not exempt you from visiting a specialist who must exclude the infectious nature of onychocryptosis.

Self-treatment of the disease consists of the following stages:

1. Softening bath … Heat the water to a temperature of 32 ° C-35 ° C, add the infusion of chamomile, calendula, string. If they are absent, you can prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate. When pustules are present around the nail, the bath temperature should be significantly higher. Be sure to add salt to it. It will help soften the nail and draw out pus. After steaming, disinfect the wound area. Regardless of the type of bath, its duration is at least 20-25 minutes. The procedure is performed at least twice a day. It will make the plate plastic and pliable, reduce swelling, and remove pain.
2. Removing the plate from under the nail roller … After the bath, dry the skin, make a thin tourniquet from the bandage, soak it in a disinfectant solution. Suitable hydrogen peroxide, furacilin solution, water with alcohol (1: 1 ratio). Very carefully lift the edge of the affected marigold and place the prepared tourniquet into the resulting gap.
3. Application … On a piece of bandage or a cotton swab folded in 4-6 layers, squeeze out a little pharmacy anti-ingrowing agent. Place on top of your thumb, secure with plastic wrap tape, or put on a fingertip.

Change the tourniquet under the plate and the application twice a day, after the bath. If it is not possible to stay at home during treatment, give preference to comfortable shoes, preferably with open toes.

Drugs for onychocryptosis

You can purchase specialized products for the applications used to treat an ingrown toenail. Doctors advise using the following drugs at home:

1. Anesthetic gel Dr. Scholl's. Softens the affected area, stops the inflammatory process. At the end of steaming, dry the nail, place the fixing ring on the contact area between the ingrown plate and the skin. Fill the slot in the ring with medication, apply a fixing bandage. The frequency of the procedure is given in the instructions.
2. Balm for nails "Nogtinorm" … Softens, relieves inflammation and pain, corrects the direction of growth of the marigold, evens out. It is used in the morning and before bed, after the bath. You should continue treatment with the drug until the ingrown part is completely healed and free.
3. Fundizol cream … Eliminates discomfort, relieves swelling, softens, removes the damaged part of the plate. It is applied with a thick layer on the modified nail, covered with compress paper, fixed with adhesive plaster. The bandage remains on the leg for 4-6 hours. Change twice a day. The period of treatment is different in each case and takes from 14 days to 2 months. During this time, the damaged part of the plate will gradually peel off from the nail bed, and you can remove it painlessly. The cream does not affect healthy areas.

Each drug has a list of contraindications and side effects. Be sure to consult with your surgeon before use.

Unconventional ways

To treat an ingrown toenail on your big toenail, there are several effective folk remedies that you can use at home. All of them are aimed at softening the plate cutting into the skin, which makes the subsequent cutting as painless as possible:

1. Butter … In the evening, after steaming, place the melted product in the fingertip and put it on the sore finger. In the morning, the softened marigold must be carefully separated from the skin, place a tourniquet from a bandage soaked in oil under it. After 2-3 days, pain and inflammation will go away. After 2 weeks of daily treatment sessions, the part of the marigold cutting into the skin can be cut off without pain and discomfort.
2. Fir oil … After steaming, drip oil onto a folded piece of bandage, apply to a finger, secure with adhesive plaster or plastic wrap. The agent softens and acts as an antiseptic.
3. Lemon zest. Grate lemon zest on a fine grater, pour in vegetable oil. After the bath with the addition of baking soda, apply the prepared mixture to the affected area, fix it, do not remove it for 10-12 hours.
4. Aloe … Take a leaf of a plant older than 3 years old, make mashed potatoes from the pulp. Apply the application to a finger that has been previously steamed and treated with a disinfectant solution. Wrap with plastic tape or put on a fingertip. Change the dressing after 12 hours.
5. Onions and honey … Chop the onion on a fine grater, add honey, stir until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. Wrap the mixture in a piece of bandage, apply the application to the affected area, fix with cling film. Leave the bandage on for 10-12 hours.

Please note that if, after 7 days, folk remedies do not bring visible results, it is worth visiting a specialist. The doctor will select an effective treatment regimen.

Prevention measures

After treating an ingrown toenail at home, you need to be careful and follow the simple rules of prevention. They will prevent the recurrence of the disease:

1. Only cut the nail in a straight line. For pedicure, do not use scissors with rounded ends. The regrown part should protrude slightly above the skin and the roller, and the corners should rest on the surrounding tissue. Otherwise, the shoes will press on the edge of the marigold, and prevent proper growth.
2. Don't wear someone else's shoes. Your own should be comfortable, a little spacious. Avoid buying a tight pair with tapered capes. In hot seasons, do not wear closed shoes. Due to sweating, the marigold softens and deforms.
3. Wear slippers in the pool and public shower to avoid fungal infection. In many cases, it is he who is the root cause of the ingrown nail.
4. Protect your fingers from bruises and promptly treat any, even the most minor, injuries.
5. If you have flat feet, you are at risk. Wear special orthopedic insoles, exercise and massage your feet.

There is a high probability of onychocryptosis in people with diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. With such diseases, it is necessary to regularly inspect for an ingrown plate.

Follow these simple rules to maintain the beauty and health of your nails. If you are unable to solve the problem on your own, be sure to seek qualified medical help.