Ingrown toenails are a common condition, and a painful one at that. Ingrown toenails are usually obvious, with one of the main symptoms being throbbing and intense pain. The most important thing to do once you develop ingrown toenail pain is to go to a licensed podiatrist for treatment. However, this isn’t always possible to do quickly. In this situation, pain management techniques help to quell discomfort in the meantime.
The easiest and most effective way to treat ingrown toenail pain is to take over the counter medication for pain. These medications can help soothe your discomfort while you wait to get treatment. These medications should be taken according to their instructions, and you should always consult with your doctor if you have any conditions that may be affected by their use.
Another way to treat ingrown toenail pain is by attempting to soften the ingrown toenail. This can be done by soaking the toenail periodically in warm water and epsom salts. The goal of this is to relax the skin around the ingrown so that pain is minimized.
Ingrown toenail pain can also be avoided by immediately stopping physical activity, and avoiding putting weight on the foot. Shoes should also be well fitting, with wide toes. This will limit the amount of pressure put on the toe by the shoe. This will both avoid pain and continued damage to the toe.
When ingrown toenail surgery is done by an experienced, licensed podiatrist, pain afterwards should be minimal. This can usually be managed with over the counter pain medications. During the surgery itself, your toe should be numbed so that pain is minimized. To schedule an appointment with a licensed podiatrist for an ingrown removal consultation, give us a call at (424) 299 4627 or visit our website for more information.