Ingrown toenails are medically known as onychocryptosis. This small problem of your nail growing funny can often time lead to a serious infection within the toe. Once you begin to feel the pain you may notice that red skin in the affected area follows.

Causes of an Ingrown Toenail:

-Genetic

-Trimming the toenail incorrectly

-Nails that are cut too short

-Cutting the nails too round

-Trauma to the toe

-Toenail fungus

Treatment:

-Epsom Salt has been proven to help with taking down the swelling as well as softening up the skin around the affected area.

-Other remedies should not be tried without consulting your doctor.

Myths about Ingrown Toenails:

• It is advised to cut a notch in the ingrown toenail

Fact:

• Doing this WILL NOT prevent the toenail from growing downward

• This can potentially make matters much worse

Myth:

• Placing cotton underneath the toenail is a remedy for pain.

Fact:

• This treatment of the toenail will help bacteria to thrive and begin an infection.

Myth:

• Cut toenail edges.

Fact:

• Clipping the edges of your toenails will not determine the direction your nail will grow. It will only increase the likelihood of the nail becoming ingrown.

Ingrown toenails most often get worse instead of better. Call a foot doctor to get a proper treatment or advise on what steps to take.