What are some signs of ingrown toenails?

Question

I think I have one or am starting to get one, because the big toe on my right foot has started to hurt on one side of the nail, but I'm not sure.

What are some ways to prevent/treat an ingrown nail? I really can't see a doctor or something because I have no health insurance and cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket.

Answer 1

Get some Epsom salt from the pharmacy department of the store (it's really cheap - a buck or so) and add it to some hot water, then soak your foot. This will soften the nail and prevent infection, and you should be able to avoid going to the doctor.

Also, take some Advil if it's swollen.

Answer 2

Trust me, chances are you don't have it. My brother had it once, but he is a big athlete and doesn't much ever pay attention about his feet. My toe was once red and inflammed and it hurt badly, but it turns out it was just a scratch and it healed it a day or too. The pain went away and everything. Just remeber if your clipping your toenails never cut the sides!! Always cut acrossif you cut the sides that causes a very big chance of getting an ingrown toenail because the nail will start to grown into the sides of the nail. Just watch it and if it worsens -- seek medical help. Hope this helped!!

Answer 3

Along with soaking it, another good tip is this...
Use toe nail clippers to cut a little V shape in the center of your nail. This way when the nail grow it will be pulled towards the center and hopefully help your ingrown. I know tihs sounds like baloney but it was recommended by my doctor. There are also little ingrown nail kits your can buy at the pharmacy that you wear over night and are real cheap.

Answer 4

To make it from getting worse, soak your toe in water that is warm, but not too uncomfortable. This will soften it up, so it won't grow into your skin. Do this once a day. It will also make your toe feel a little better. Do not pick at it, that will only make it worse. Put Peroxide on it, to kill the germs so it won't get infected.
Some signs of an ingrown are redness and swelling of the toe, can't put a shoe on without it hurting, and a lot of pain!
Go to a doctor to see what you should do. That would only cost you about $20. You might have to get surgery, depending on how bad it is.

Answer 5

When I get an ingrown toe nail my toe will hurt on the side that has the ingrown toe nail. I then cut it out with nail clippers. In three months or so I will have to redo it again, but it beats paying a Dr. To do it.';

Answer 6

Here's a good way to prevent them, and to start healing up the one you have....with nail trimmers, cut a small v in the middle of your toenail that you think is ingrown. As the nail continues to grow out, the v will be closed up by the growth and the edges of the nail that are ingrown will be "pulled" out to fill up the v space you made. Make sense?

Answer 7

You have trimmed your toe nails incorrectly.

You may see flesh that is covering the edge of the nail. That is mostly callus.
You need to carefully trim the nail closer, down the side of the toe.
Keep a little bit of cotton stuffed between the flesh and nail untill the nail grows normally.

When you trim your nails, do not trim down the sides as you do finger nails. Cut straight across, leaving a bit of nail on the sides. You can trim just a bit of any sharp ends.
This prevents flesh from growing over the nail.

Apply iodine to prevent infection.

Answer 8

that's a sure sign - and you should go to the Podiatrist - because she/he has a special tool to pull the ingrown toenail up out of the toe - only thing is - they do grown back! Even though you cannot afford - get on a payment plan or something - your feet are worth it - because in the long run it can only get worse. It should not be a huge cost - and see if they do some medical procedures free - it cost nothing to ask. Speaking about your case is worth it.

Answer 9

If you can afford about $12 go see a nail salon. Most of the time if a started ingrown isn't bad yet, they can help you with it.

To prevent it, you need to grow your nail out so the corners do not get imbeded into your skin.

Answer 10

Cut a "V" shape in the middle of your big toes and they will grow in toward the "V" and not into the side of your foot. Give it a couple of days to take effect but once it does you should feel better. You must also cut your toe nails this way everytime you trim your toe nails or they will come back. Good luck.