So you see that you have an ingrown toenail and have searched Google to find out your options. The first step is to begin at home care to see if the problem can be alleviated, here are a few things you can try:
- Soaking the foot in epsom salt/ tea tree oil/disinfecting oil
- Washing the foot and affected area twice a day with soapy water
- Wearing sandals
- Lifting up the ingrown nail and stuffing cotton under to keep it elevated to encourage correct nail growth
- Pain relievers
If you see no results after 3 days, have diabetes, health problems that cause poor circulation, on chemotherapy, or have AIDS then you should not wait to get your toenail checked since you are at risk of infection.
The doctor will then begin the diagnosis by figuring out how the ingrown developed, medical allergies or family history of ingrown toenails, tetanus immunization history, and medications you are taking. Next, they will conduct a physical examination and possibly also assign an X-Ray. Finally, blood tests if an infection is found or the patient has a history of diabetes.