How do i get rid of my ingrowing toe nail..?

Question

Not my big toe, but the toe next to it..Is ingrown! Its so painful, and has swelled up so much. Looks as though its filled with puss!

I cant bare to wear socks or shoes because of the pain it's causing.

Does anyone have any ideas how to get rid of this without having to have my toe nail removed?

Answer 1

This is a medical situation that requires medical attention; so you need to see your doctor as soon as possible especially since you think an infection has started. Don't put this off and DON'T fiddle around with this ingrown toenail in any way. You must get medical attention for this problem.

Answer 2

There are probably three things you need to do. The first two are concerned with solving your problem, and the third thing is to make sure it doesn't happen again.

First, for the next 24 hours, gently wash your toe in warm salty. That should get rid of some of the pus and relieve the pain a bit. If it is getting better after 24 hours, then just continue with the washing. Otherwise, go and see a nurse.

Second, when the toe is clean, you can relieve the pain gettin some cotton wool, rolling a very small amount of it into a sausage shape, and pressing it under the edge between the toenail and the skin at the edge of your toe. You will see that I mean a VERY small amount. It's just there to lift the edge of your toenail away from cutting into you. It might be too painful to use the cotton wool at first, but if you can put it there it will help. Put the cotton wool in AFTER you have washed and dried your toe. Take the cotton wool out each time you wash your toe and put fresh cotton wool back when the toe is dry.

If things don't start getting better after 24 hours, go and see a nurse. Also, wear loose fitting shoes (or none at all) so that you don't get pressure on the toe.

And last and most important of all, make sure you don't get another in-grown toe nail. Most ingrown toe-nails come from the way that people cut their toe nails. With your finger nails, you probably cut them in a nice curve. This is not a gohttp://uk.answers.yahoo.com/info/community_guidelines.php
Community Guidelinesod idea with toe nails. Instead of cutting your toe nails in a curve, you should cut them all directly straight across so that the top corner of the toenail is above the edge of the skin. Don't go cutting the corners off. If you do that, as the nail grows up, it will start cutting into you again!

Answer 3

See a doctor straight away!

You can have a simple (30 minute) procedure, and that ingrown toenail will be fixed and never grow back.

I have mine done a few months ago. The chiropodists cut out the ingrown bits and put a chemical on them which will prevent them ever growing in again. The local anaesthetic hurt and a had to wear dressings on my toes for a few weeks (they don't get in the way), but there were no complications and I was up and running around a few hours after the operation was done. Now my toes are just like they were before the nails started to grow in.
Problem solved!

Answer 4

Let it grow out and then only clip it straight and keep it long enough so that it does not grow back in. By cutting toenails like you do a fingernail (rounded) you can cause your toe nails to grow inwards. Do not try to pick or cut it at the side of the toe it will grow right back and then you will have the same problem. Sometimes soaking your toes a while before you cut them helps soften them and the skin around the ingrown toenail. In rare cases a doctor could remove the nails and in some cases they can get infected Best to let them grow out straight and cut them as long as you can stand them.

Answer 5

Hi,aim sorry to say that it sounds like you might just lose your toe nail anyway because of the infection you have and the swelling,if you go to your local a&e thay will freeze your toe and thay will remove your toe nail with a hell of alot less pain then you are going through right now.

Answer 6

The quick fix is to cut off the ingrowing part. Trouble is, it'll start ingrowing again, so it's not a cure. You can cure it by cutting a notch in the centre, but it'll take a long time before the pain goes.

The nail, although made of dead material, follows the path of least resistance (like anything else), so if you cut a notch in the centre, it'll g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y spread towards the middle, and away from the ingrowing part.

Answer 7

Be brave and see a chiropodist is the only real way. If there is a collection of pus then you need help sooner rather than later.

You may not have to have it removed totally, but just have the sides causing the problem removed, but only by a specialist

Good luck

Answer 8

I had the same problem a few weeks ago and went to my gp and because im pregnant she couldn't remove my toenail. she did however give me antibiotic cream and told me to actually cut the toenail into a point so it looks triangle. this worked for me.

btw i can now wear my shoes.

Answer 9

cut your nails straight across instead of a curve
this will eliminate the corners from 'growin in'
hope this helps

Answer 10

go and see your doctor, s/he will give tabs to clear any infection, then refer you to have your toe done by the specialist. it's worth it.