I have found that Orajel works for ingrown toenail pain. Just squeeze a line of Orajel along the cuticle and let soak for 2 or 3 minutes and the pain is gone. Its worked for me and doesn't get painful again for days.
By GLENDA GHOMRAWI from Midwest City, OK
I need some help! I have had an ingrown toenail for two years. It has been infected for almost the whole time. I would say it has swollen to about 2 cm in diameter. It hurts like the dickens when I run. I have taken it to a nail salon and it'll work for two months then will comeback. I need a monthly routine to help fix my toe. Please help! I am interested preferably in home remedies.
By Mandy
First, there is a HUGE difference between an ingrown toenail and an INFECTED ingrown toenail. The former is often inherited and usually only bothersome with the potential to become infected, while the latter is health or life threatening.
Second, you need to visit a doctor to verify the difference who can, if necessary, offer some type of antibiotic prescription to tackle an infection. I've read of many claiming that they can do home remedy infections, but if you've not been able to do so in over two years, you are WAY overdue in consulting a medical professional in person.
I'm a big fan of home remedies - and learned many from my father who was a Registered Pharmacist - but there are times when we need the help of modern science and medicine.
If you find out that it is not infected, a home remedy that helps to relieve the pressure of the nail and train it to grow more "normally" is really quite simple. It ain't pretty at first, but it has helped my genetically given, non infected, ingrown big toenails look and feel better with time.
Clip a tiny "V" shape in the middle of the toenail above "the quick" i.e.; don't cut into the skin. This allows the nail an opportunity to grow towards the center, rather than towards the edges, and helps relieve the pressure in the process.
Good luck, but please don't continue to let an infection go untreated.
My husband recently had an ingrown toenail that kept coming back. (He got his from stubbing his big toe one night. He actually fractured it.) The podiatrist had to kill the nail bed in that area. A little painful but a quick, permanent fix. You really need to see one, for they will also give you a script for an antibiotic to clear up the infection. Infections can spread and become life threatening. (I lost the bone in the tip of my thumb due to an infection.) Once you've gotten rid of the ingrown, be sure to trim your nails straight across and don't cut them too short. Make sure your shoes aren't too tight in the toe area.
Painless remedy, it's true. Having just recovered from an ingrown toenail. I have some great information for anyone suffering from this painful problem. First, my toenail on my left foot (Big Toe) was the problem. The nail was growing into the toe because I did not properly cut the toenail. By the time I "dealt" with it, the pain was incredible and I could not walk or bump it in anyway without incredible pain. I read on the internet about someone who went to Walmart and purchased some medication that really helped them. I wasn't sure if it would work for me, but needed to try. At Walmart, I found Dr. Scholl's Ingrown Toenail Pain Reliever ($9).
I began treatment and within one and a half days. I was able to cut the nail at a slight angle and pull it out of my toe, painlessly! The first day, the pain was still there, but kept the treatment going (twice a day application). The medication has a numbing medication that not only numbs the area but softens the nail enough so that when you pull it out of your toe, no pain. It was amazing.
Having just been in incredible pain and then to have it gone so quick was great.
Special Note:
Make sure you soak the foot first in warm water and Betadine ($12) to help cleanse and disinfect the area. Dry thoroughly and then apply the medication according to the instructions on the box.
I also bought some diabetes medical socks that helped to relieve the pressure of normal socks during the first day ($6). Everything you can get is at Walmart. I am on my third day after treatment and my toe is a little sore, as it was infected, but the medication is still working it's magic on the area for pain, so the pain is so minimal. Try it.
Many, many thanks to the person who posted the Walmart medication idea that led me to this incredible remedy! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it!
I have been putting a very small piece of cotton under an ingrown toenail, but it keeps coming out.
Any tricks to keeping it there?
By Donna
I had the same problem Donna the best way to get rid of a ingrown toenail is if you have one a foot spa it costs about 25-maybe at most 35$ or buy a 5$ bucket from family dollar fill it with warm water add ebson salt. Soak your foot for about 30 minutes every day morning and night after you soak it wrap in a bandaid and neospornen.
I have had a lot of luck with a small piece of paper match book matches. It's more firm than cotton and usually stays in place. Also, you can get finger cots which are small covers that go over injured fingers and you can use the appropriate finger size for your toes. I hope that helps. PBP
I don't have much experience with ingrown toenails. Doctor told me to let them grow out, then cut straight across. That way it doesn't have a chance to ingrow.
Cotton is a fiberous material and tends to stay together. Make sure you have separated it completely by using tiny tiny pieces. Plus keeping it covered like the other response is an excellent way to keep it where it belongs. All the ideas I saw were good. Just adapt whatever works for you best.
What can I do to get relief from the pressure and pain of my ingrown toenail?
By Susan K.
Ok, well to start I had an ingrown toenail for about 2-3 months maybe 4 and I went to the doctor and they told me to soak my foot in Epsom salt and warm water and she gave me pills. I did that, but I still have an ingrown toe nail. I have been looking for a cure that really works. I have gotten upset I can't wear just socks without a bandage. Please tell me the fastest way possible.
By Reese
I have found an easy way to get rid of ingrown toenails of using a few simple ingredients at home, and that will give quick relief!
I have this infected ingrown toenail for almost a month. I can barely walk or wear closed toe shoes. When it gets hit it hurts like crazy. I think the nail is growing underneath, but can't get the nail out, so that I can put a cotton under it. What can I do about it? I don't want a nail surgery either.
By Emily
I had an ingrown toe nail. Then went to my pcp she gave me antibiotics like cephalaxin for ten days. As it did not heal, she gave me augmentin. As I am pregnant and in my second trimester I don't want a nail surgery. Now the pain has gone, but there is swelling in the edge, and it pains if I touch the part. Kindly help.
By Sairam
I am assuming you can get to the toes so have someone help. You have to lift the nail up and stick in the end of a toothpick, qtip shaft, or even a piece of rice has worked. Lifting the nail from the skin gives the skin time to heal, and the nail can more easily be trimmed. In the future, keep the nail straight across and never pick them.
My grandson just had to have surgery on both big toenails, which included a very long needle right down the center of the top and one each on the knuckle.
Big strong strapping 22 year old and he cried like a baby and didn't care who heard.
This might sound graphic, but it's something a avoid in the future.
Try to find an ointment called "Unguetyn" at your pharmacy. It is something like an antiobiotic cream. It works everytime.
What do you do to get rid of an ingrown toenail? I don't want to go to the doctor as I know it will be expensive.
By Jeanette B.
If the pain isn't too sever yet, lift the edge of the toenail and insert something firm yet pliable. I have used a match book match, cut down after it's inserted. It's too hard to get under if you cut it down to 1/16" before hand. Once the nail is raised, use some Mercuroclear (Mercurochrome's replacement) to cleanse, and anesthetize the infected area. This always works for me. Also, don't cut the nail in a curve, always straight across. This helps a lot.
Good luck.
My girlfriend has ingrown toenails & she gets them taken care of by having a pedicure.
This is an addition to the good advice given by "Poor But Proud" (lifting the ingrown part) but instead of cutting straight, cut with a "V" shape in the middle. Nails have the tendency to grow towards the empty area. Thsi was advice from my doctor years ago and has worked well for me and friends.
If I put curry powder, alcohol, or water on my ingrown toenail with a Band Aid will it draw out the infection? I am getting it out soon, just need help.
By Anna
I've had an ingrown toenail for 3 yrs. How can I get relief from it?
By Pankti
Not something to mess with. Chiropodist your best bet. Most GPs will arrange.
I am looking for a remedy for an ingrown toenail. Can't I just cut the toe off and be done with it?
By John from St. Louis, MO
After your bath or shower when the nail is still soft, put a tiny piece of cotton under the ingrown part. Don't use too much the first time. This will hold the nail up as it dries. You must keep doing this until the nail is above the side of the toe. It is surprising how little cotton it will take to bring comfort, but it may take a couple of applications until the nail is high enough and you will have to do is periodically to keep the nail from ingrowing again. Hope this helps.