Has anyone heard of any other way to deal with ingrown toenail aside from surgery? Thank you.?

Question

My husband has chronic problems with both his big toes with ingrown toenail. One was already pulled out and nerve was killed or something, and it grew back anyway but hasn't given him problems. The other one however has been a problem for over 2 years. He just keeps pulling it out, and that helps only for so long. We can't afford him to go to the doctor right now. Does anyone know of any other way of dealing with this sort of thing? Albeit painful or whatever, can't be any worse than him ripping the thing out every so often. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

Thank you for all your answers, they have all been helpful. And yes, the nailbed is probably destroyed. All it took was one time not trimming it properly and it grew under the skin. The only way he could relieve the pain was to cut the ingrown side down, like a sliver, and yank it out. So it just keeps growing back ingrown. I will try the V cut and cotton ball ideas. Thank you!

Answer 1

Most nail salons that do pedicures can help out with that, they have the proper tools and if they know what they are doing can help you out. The one I go to helps me out with that, you may have a hard time getting your husband to go though, but it's a suggestion. (it's not expensive either)

Answer 2

First make sure he is not cutting the nails too short, because short nails transfer pressure to the outsides of the nail and encourage them to curl in and under. All of his toenails should be cut straight across, even with the tip of the toe. Anything shorter than that causes trouble, especially on the big toe. Second, check the toe cap fit of all his shoes. His toes should have plenty of wiggle room across the widest part of the toe cap, and no part of his toes should enter the narrow part of a toe cap. There should be at least 1/2 inch or more of room at the top of the shoe, so when his foot slides forward in the shoe during walking, the toes don't squish together or hit the top of the shoe. Most people wear shoes 1/2 size too small. Also, guard how snuggly he pulls on his socks. Again, if they fit too snugly across the top of the nails, they will press down and inward on the nails. While it doesn't sound like much pressure- after all how much can a sock press?- but a little bit over time will do a lot. When you pull on socks, you should always reach down and give them a gentle tug to loosen them, and they should still give you wiggle room after you put on your shoe. A too snug sock in a narrow toe cap, or too small a shoe will give anyone ingrown nails. To deal with a nail that is trying to grow in, cut a v shaped notch in the center of the nail. Then get a tiny bit of cotton ball and roll it to form a tiny little log or wad. Use a nail file to lift up the edge that is growing under and put the cotton under that to lift the nail up and keep it up. That bit of cotton will need to be changed daily, since you don't need to do a toe fungus cooking. Soak the feet in nice warm water each day, and work with the nail while it is damp and soft. Dry them well, and replace the cotton. And go barefoot as much as you can, since that removes all the pressure from the nails. It may be after all this time of ingrowing and yanking the nail off, your husband has damaged the nail bed that guides the nail as it grows out. If this has happened, the nail bed itself may be the reason it continues to grow in and unless it is corrected it will always be a problem. The long term cure would be to have the nail done by a doctor, who could then resect the nail bed to reshape the growing nail. Otherwise, the things I told you will help avoid it or at least help control it at a comfortable level. He really shouldn't just pull the offending nail off, since he can scar the nail bed permanently. Though I'm sure you don't mind the looks of the unattractive woggy toenail, it will just make matters worse in the end. I learned all this from working in a military clinic, and watching the doctors do toenail removals on a regular basis. I determined I didn't want to join the ranks of that group and asked the podiatrist what I could do, and this was all the advice he gave me. It's worked for me and my hubbie- who had the trouble when we married. Hope it helps yours out as well.

Answer 3

Soak in salt water and alternate with epsom salts to prevent infections. use an antifungal cream or spray like for athletes foot. if the toenail does grow out and needs to be cut, never cut the ends. Always cut the nail straight across and leave the outer edges longer than the toe itself, this is a preventive. He has a problem that may not go away without a Dr. but soaking and using the spray may keep it from hurting so bad. You can add a quarter cup of bleach to a cool pan of water once in a while to kill all the bacteria. rinse well and dry well.

Answer 4

I used to work with this Navy Chief (ret.) and he gave me this GREAT, easy remedy.

Using sharp cuticile scissors, cut a "V" in the middle of the nail. The nail will grow, pulling those cut sides together, and away from the painful edges. Just a little v, not a big gouge into the nail bed or anything. It totally prevents ingrown nails.

Using warm salt water to soak already-ingrown nails is an excellent antiseptic, and it promotes healing.

Answer 5

Take a small piece of cotton -soft---soaked it in alcohol or some other anticeptic and with the sharp point of the nailclippers raise the in-grown toenail and push the soft cotton under the edge where it's in-grown. This lifts the nail up and as it grows it grows out and not in. Might take a few weeks and change the cotton once and a while. When he gets them grown out be very careful and cut them straight across and not to short . Worked for me. Good luck.

Answer 6

It's not fun. I had both of them done last year. I had it done as an out patient in the hospital. They tell you to hop on the table, then they freeze your toe with needles. That's the worst part. Then, in my case, the doctor put a small incision at the bottom of your toe nail, lifted the whole nail from the nail bed, cut the edge off, and yanked it out through the incision at th bottom. Then, they bandage your toe, and send you on your way. The give you some tylenol 3 or other pain killer, and you're fine. It's pretty sore for the first few days, but, doesn't last long.

Answer 7

haha ok
well i had one once
and what i had to do
was get a pen or something of the sorts
and slide it all the way to the end
so it pushed the nail up again

****** most painful thing ive ever done
but it fixed it