What should be done if a toenail starts to dig into the skin? In the case of an ingrown toenail, various solutions are available, from at-home nail care to surgery or laser treatment, reserved for the most serious cases. It’s important to act early, as soon as the first symptoms appear, to prevent the toenail from causing a wound or even infection.
Foot baths and cotton wool to relieve pain
A simple way to reduce pain: soaking your feet. Soak your foot in a basin of water for 10 to 20 minutes, three times a day. The warm water will soften the skin, thus reducing pain. After carefully drying your foot, place a piece of cotton between the nail and the flesh. This will prevent the nail from digging into the skin. You can also invest in some pedicure SPA kits.
There are various products and treatments available to treat an ingrown toenail: nail polish, serum, etc.
Some tips during the treatment of your ingrown toenail
Ideally, leave your foot exposed to the air as much as possible. This will avoid the pressure of socks and shoes, which can exacerbate the pain. If this is not possible, wear cotton socks, which limit maceration. Choose open-toed shoes if the season is right, or wide, well-ventilated shoes. High heels and shoes that don’t support the heel (mules, flip-flops, etc.) should be avoided while the toenail heals.
There are various solutions for treating an ingrown toenail. They aim to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and allow the nail to grow back normally. But rather than treating it, we prefer to prevent the ingrown toenails.
To avoid ingrown toenails, make sure you cut your nails properly. It’s best to use scissors with rounded tips. Nail clippers don’t always allow for precise cutting, and the nail is often cut shorter than intended. The cut should be straight: no rounded edges, and especially not too short. The free edge of the nail should protrude by one to two millimeters.
Pay special attention to your shoes. They should be wide enough to allow the foot to breathe. High-heeled shoes with pointed toes, which compress the toes, should be avoided whenever possible.
For any foot or nail abnormalities, you can consult your doctor or podiatrist. Various solutions, from orthotics to surgery, exist to limit or correct these abnormalities and thus prevent pressure and friction on the toes.