Ingrown nail?

Question

My husband has always had problems with ingrown toenails. Does anyone know any home remedies for this, besides cutting them straight across? Nothing seems to be working, and it causes him a lot of pain.

Answer 1

I went through this for years. Nothing really worked for me and then I ended up getting surgery on one side of my big toe nail and the other one just kind of went away on it's own. They don't bother me quite as much anymore...only if I end up wearing a tight shoe.

So....I saw a foot specialist, he's the one who preformed my surgery and here's some things I got from him.

Soak your feet in warm water with epsom salt 2 times a day.
Try to buy square toed shoes...which I hated at first but now have gotten used to. I also buy half or full size bigger shoes.
If you don't need to, then don't wear socks at home.
Don't wear closed up slippers, open toe only.
You want to keep the toes exposed to the air as much as possible. In the summer, especially.

And well...you already know about the cutting. But if he feels comfortable enough, he can see an esthitician and they know how to cut down the side to get rid of that pointy nail but it does come back. I did it all the time and it did give relief for some time. Until I got frustrated and just had the surgery.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

When the skin surrounding your toenail turns red and swollen and starts causing you a lot of discomfort, it is probable that your toenail has grown into your toe. Chronic ingrown toenails require the services of a podiatrist.
Instructions
STEP 1: Wipe your instruments off with alcohol or betadine. Be sure to get the undersides of your nail clippers, as that is the cutting surface that will be against your skin. STEP 2: Put 2 capfuls of povidone-iodine (Betadine) solution, into 1/2 gal. warm water. Put your foot in the water and soak for 10 minutes. STEP 3: Dry foot thoroughly and then insert nail clippers under the nail border. STEP 4: Clip out the ingrown toenail at a slight angle. Try not to cut your skin - keep the bottom of the clipper as close to the bottom of the nail plate as possible. STEP 5: Grasp the corner and gently pull it out, once the nail is cut. STEP 6: Wipe the area gently with an alcohol or a betadine-soaked gauze pad or cotton swab. STEP 7: Soak your toe for 20 minutes each day in the Betadine solution for three days, or until soreness is gone. After soaking, dry gently and apply an adhesive bandage and some antibiotic cream. STEP 8: Insert a sliver of cotton between the nail and the skin, for a few days. This will keep pressure off the toe. Remove the cotton as soon as the nail begins to grow out and away from the toe. STEP 9: Wear loose shoes or go barefoot as much as possible, while your toenail is healing. Your goal is to eliminate any pressure from pushing against your toe. STEP 10: See your podiatrist for chronic ingrown toenails. He may manipulate and elevate the end of your nail to prevent pressure on soft toe tissue, or correct the problem surgically. Tips & Warnings
Try not to leave nail fragments, as they'll probably become ingrown again.
If there is bleeding, elevate the foot and apply an ice pack for 10 minutes with light pressure.
If bleeding is excessive, consult a podiatrist.

Answer 3

I FEEL FOR YOUR HUSBAND AS I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SITUATION SINCE 2005, WHEN I DROPPED A TRASH CAN ON MY BIG TOE!!!

BECAUSE I AM A DIABETIC I MUST SEE A PODIATRIST ON A REGULAR BASIS! SEEMS TO BE A LONG HEALING PROCESS FOR THIS CONDITION...


"Avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon."

Answer 4

go have surgary i did when i was a kid they cut it out and they injected some kinda stuff in there to make the toenail from growing. been great for about 23 years.

Answer 5

Be sure to care for it well. See your doctor if the pain doesn't go away.