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How to Handle an Ingrown Toenail
When the sharp corner of your toenail enters the sensitive skin of your toe, you end up with an ingrown toenail along with all the accompanying nasty symptoms — swelling, pain, redness and maybe even an infection. It's usually the big toe that is affected, but all toes are fair game, even your little pinky toe.
How does this painful problem arise? There are several key opponents in the war against your tootsies.
The problem could be your shoes. Are they too tight in the toe area? If you're a runner, did you know that your running shoes should be at least 1 size larger than your regular shoe size? Your toes need room to move. Crowded toenails are pressured to grow abnormally.
When you clip your toenails, do you try to shape them into cute little curves? Unfortunately, that's a bad idea. Toenails should be cut straight across, and they shouldn't be cut too short. Cutting corners can force your toenail to bite into your skin.
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I have seen the doctor maybe twice, but it Is easier to treat things myself using advice from the doctor. I fill a foot tub with water that is as hot as I can tolerate. I add some Epsom salt to soften the skin and nail I intend to trim. I use the hook tool found on some nail clippers to go along the edge of the nail or I may use fine point tweezers. The goal is to separate the skin and nail and then trim. It's a painful procedure that I do briefly several times a day for several days, each time returning the foot to the salt water. Afterwards, I dry the foot and apply a topical antibiotic and I wipe the little tools with hand sanitizer.
And that's more than you ever wanted to know!