When a toenail has a tendency to grow inwards, it gets into the border of the skin. This problem can cause a tremendous amount of discomfort, inflammation, and even pain. When this happens, the risk of infection in the surrounding skin very well increases. The causes of an ingrown would most likely be at least one of the following: excessive sweating, deformation of the nails, curving of the nails, poor maintenance, improper trimming, and other infections. Ingrown toenails may also be hereditary, as well as caused by a traumatic nail injury.
The painful symptoms of ingrown toenails may include but not limited to heightened sensitivity, redness on the skin or discoloration, pain, swelling, pus discharge, even a mild fever for more severe cases. As painful as it is, ingrown toenails are very easy to treat at home. Here are five natural and effective home remedies to treat the problem:
Lemon: Lemons have natural elements which are very useful in bringing the nail out of the skin. This method can relieve pain almost immediately. To do so, apply lemon juice directly to the area of the ingrown toenail. Another way to get maximum relief from ingrown fingernails is to tie a lemon with the nails using a bandage and leave it for a whole night to relieve the problem.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is used to reduce the inflammation caused due to the ingrown toenail. It also treats the risk of bacterial infection and prevents the pain very effectively. Mix 4 to 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in water and soak your toes in the solution for 10 minutes and then rinse off with cold water to relieve the pain. Repeat the remedy 3 times in a day to get better results.
Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is also used to treat the ingrown toenail problem. It can treat the infection in the ingrown toenails and also reduces the inflammation very effectively. Apply some tea tree oil with cotton around the border of your nails to get relief.
Castor Oil: Castor oil is very useful as it increases the circulation in the skin near the nails and makes the skin soft as a result of which the ingrown nail comes out of the skin. Not only this, but castor oil also provides relief from the inflammation and pain. It is therefore advised to apply castor oil over the nails to get relief.
Lavender Oil: Lavender oil is very useful for your skin. It reduces the inflammation and makes the skin soft and helps in bringing out the ingrown toenail. Apply some lavender oil around the border areas of the nails to get relief.
Epsom Salt: Epsom salt is very useful for healing the problem of ingrown fingernails. It helps in moving the nails out of the skin and relieves the pain and inflammation very effectively. Mix some Epsom salt in water and soak your fingers in it for 20 minutes and repeat the remedy two times daily to get complete relief.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is also very useful in treating the ingrown toenails and makes the skin soft. It brings the pain down and also prevents the occurrence of skin infection around the fingernails. Mix hydrogen peroxide in water and soak your fingers in it or apply the solution directly around the fingers to get relief.