Ingrown Toenail
Using floss to fix your toenail is just one method you could use, among others. Below is a quick video on how using dental floss can be a useful tool to cure an ingrown nail.
Keep in mind that waxed floss is just a temporary fix, which should not be a permanent solution. But it is good to know how to fix an ingrown toenail.
A Must-Read: How to Cut Toenails if You Can’t Reach Them
An ingrown toenail is a condition that can sometimes cause severe pain, especially when pulled.
But fret not. An ingrown toenail is completely treatable. You can even use dental floss with it.
In this article, I will help you in understanding the following aspects:
- What is an ingrown toenail?
- What are the causes of an ingrown toenail?
- Significant symptoms of an ingrown toenail
- How the use of dental floss can work well in eliminating ingrown toenail
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
At least once in our lifetime, we get an ingrown toenail.
But wait. What is an ingrown toenail?
It refers to a condition in the toe where the sharp edges of your nails grow protrude between your nail and the skin.
The ingrown toenail condition is most common in the big toe compared to other nails on foot.
Note that this condition affects both kids and adults, but adults are more likely to have more such conditions than kids.
The toenail can be treated either in the hospital are at the comfort of your home as long as one takes all the medications, which will help reduce and treat the condition.
Patients with diabetes or any other diseases will have a harder time dealing with an ingrown toenail. This is due to the poor blood circulation in their body.
An ingrown toenail is responsible for pain, swelling, and infection, leading to
It will cause some discomfort to the patient, especially when walking or wearing shoes. This should be avoided as much as possible when you have it.
Below are some causes, symptoms, and treatments of an ingrown toenail.
Common Causes
Ingrown toenails occur due to different reasons. However, the most common reason is the improper cutting of nails.
There are some other causes of ingrown toenails, which include the following:
Cutting Your Nails
Many people cut their toenails too short while others cut them in a curved line, creating room for infection.
In addition to that, cut your toenail with the right tools to avoid infection, which might cause an ingrown toenail.
Small Toes
Some people have small toes that do not have room to accommodate any growth of the nail. In addition to that, it will also cause someone to have an ingrown toenail if one has thick and curved nails.
Those with small toenails should ensure they cut their toes well using the right tools to avoid infection.
Injured Toe
If one suffers from an injury in the toes, it would likely cause one to suffer from an ingrown toenail.
In many instances, the nail gets hit by an object either when running or in the course of conducting activities that will cause an ingrown.
Walk with closed shoes to avoid such injuries.
Wearing Small Shoes
This creates discomfort, causing the big toe to swell.
After the toe swells, it will cause an ingrown.
Symptoms
Please note, these are just some of the symptoms. Just because you experience these does not mean you do or do not have an ingrown toenail. See your family doctor for advice and a proper method to deal with this problem.
Thick redness in the toenails
Anyone who has an ingrown toenail will have nail redness due to a blood clot. The redness in the skin will worsen if the ingrown toenail is not addressed quickly.
Swelling
The skin expands due to pus results from infection.
Tenderness and Pain
Those with an ingrown suffer pain in the toes. This is because the skin becomes more sensitive when you have it.
Treatment
There are different ways of treating an ingrown toenail. However, the most common method is using dental floss.
Here is a sneak peek at how an ingrown nail is cleaned professionally.
Step One: Wash or Soak Your Foot with Epsom Salts
Soaking your feet in warm water will ease the pain. Do this for about 20 minutes, three times a day.
Castile soap is the most recommended soap for the patient with an ingrown toenail.
This helps soften the infected area. Alternatively, you can also soak your foot with Epsom salt to relieve pain.
Step Two: Soak the Affected Foot Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most common remedies to solve many problems, including ingrown toenails.
It has antiseptics and is also a pain reliever though it has not yet been scientifically proven to be the best medicine.
To use this remedy, prepare warm water and add ¼ of the apple vinegar. Then, soak the feet in the warm water for about 20 minutes every day. Pat the feet dry once finished soaking.
Step Three: Use Dental Floss
Soak the feet in the warm water. This will help soften the nail on the toe, allowing all the harmful bacteria to be released.
After soaking, apply some fresh, waxed floss which to ensure you touch the ingrown edge.
Take the floss and gently try to lift all the nail corners to ensure digging of the skin.
Step Four: Apply Antibiotic Cream
Applying the ointment will help in healing.
When using the cream, follow the instruction prescribed by the manufacturer. Usually, it’s applied up to three times a day.
Some of the ointments include Neosporin and Bactroban. After applying the cream, wrap some bandages around the affected area.
Step Five: Choose the Most Appropriate Footwear
Choosing the most appropriate shoes and socks is important. Shoes and short nails are the leading problems to ingrown
To reduce the chance of an ingrown, wear open and flats shoes that will help create ample space for the toenail.
Step Six: Take a Painkiller to Relieve any Pain That Comes From the Treatment
An ingrown infection is similar to other infections. Hence, there is a possibility of side effects. Painkillers are necessary for a patient healing from an ingrown since they will help relieve the pain.
Step Seven: Using Toe a Protector
A toe protector will help put a barrier for an ingrown nail. The toe protector will exist like a ring used to cover the toenail, especially the affected toenails.
According to doctors, some protectors will help to soften the toenails hence making it possible for the treatment.
Step Eight: Use of the Brace
Toe braces are relatively thin to allow composite and other material to the glued areas of the toe.
The toe brace will help shield the skin and ensure the ingrown toenail will continue to lift the edges of the nail growth. The brace is available in pharmacies.
Step Nine: Visit Doctor for Oral Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics do not get prescribed to patients routinely. Also, there isn’t much evidence that it can even improve the condition.
If a patient has a weak immune system, cream antibiotics may be better.
Step Ten: Contemplate Removing the Nail
If an ingrown toenail does not improve after applying the dental floss, one will consider fully or partially remove the nail if needed.
One can seek advice from a doctor; they may
Preventive Measures
An ingrown is one of the most common causes of foot pain. Hence, it’s important to adopt proper preventive measures.
The following are some of the prevention of an ingrown toenail.
Cut your nails regularly and straight
Cutting nails is one of the most common methods of preventing an ingrown toenail.
Many people do not cut their nails regularly. Hence, creating a lot of problems when wearing shoes.
Use toenail clipper
Nail clippers are highly preferred rather than scissors or tearing the nail off with your hand.
The clipper will ensure the toenail gets cut without creating any room for an ingrown toenail compared to scissors.
Wear shoes that ensure excellent comfort
Choose shoes where you can walk comfortably and reduce any possibility of developing an ingrown toenail.
The most recommended shoes are open flat shoes.
Wear socks and stockings
Wear stockings and socks to reduce the possibility of an ingrown toenail.
Many of the victims who are affected by ingrown toenails walk with bare feet. Hence, making them prone to ingrown toenails.
Clean your toe underneath regularly
When cleaning your toes, make sure you clean under the nail to reduce the bacteria.
Conclusion
Having an ingrown toenail can be disheartening and can cause many-body problems, especially when walking.
For this reason, it is highly advisable to maintain proper hygiene for all body parts. Once you discover that you have an ingrown nail, try applying some home remedies before seeing a doctor.
Keep in mind that an ingrown nail can happen to everyone no matter the gender or age, and it is also a less severe condition that should not cause much alarm. How to Fix an Ingrown Toenail is what we hope you go the answer to fix the toenail as an ingrown how-to article on How to Fix an Ingrown Toenail.
