If an ingrown toenail has already developed you can cut it to minimize the condition and prevent it from getting worse. However, if the condition has already advanced then leave the problem for your podiatrist to attend because cutting a severe ingrown toenail by yourself can make the condition worse.
Cutting The Ingrown
- Check your toenail’s length. Only cut if it is long enough. Nails should always extend beyond the end of your toe, and cut straight.
- Soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath to soften the nail and also help relieve pain
- If your nail is already short cut file the nail instead, straight across never curved.
- After inspecting the nail and it is long enough to cut, use a clean toenail cutter to trim the nail straight across, not going further than the end of your toes.
- Never try trimming your ingrown nails with a tweezer or other tools as it will likely cause an infection if you end up breaking the skin
Caring for The Ingrown
- Treat the pain with a topical pain relief cream. More on easing the pain of an ingrown nail can be found here.
- Lower inflammation with cold compress and to also soothe the pain. Make sure to avoid applying the cold source directly on the nail as it can lead to tissue damage
- See your podiatrist for more severe cases. They can cut the nail for you or remove the root of the toenail.
- Monitor your toes for an infection. Symptoms include redness, swelling, odor, and pus (read more about ingrown toenails and pus here).
Preventing another Ingrown
- Prevent further ingrowns by inserting a cotton under your toenail. Read more on this technique and other ways to treat and prevent ingrowns on our other blog post.
- Wear open toed shoes and loose fitting shoes
- Avoid activity that could cause trauma to your shoes such as sports
- Keep feet clean by washing your feet with soap and water