After writing, how to treat toenail fungus?, how to get rid of foot fungus?, and how to treat a broken toenail?, we are now writing the best ways to cure an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenail or onychogryphosis is a condition, when the nail of the toe penetrates into the skin of the toe. The condition is painful and inflammatory. If it is not cured before handily, it might worsen the condition. It may lead to extra tissue or the yellowish fluid may start bleeding. So it is very important to treat the problem on time. Here, in this article, we will tell you the best ways to cure an ingrown toenail fast and naturally at home.
Best Remedies to Cure an Ingrown Toenail – Get Rid of Ingrown Toenail :
Contents
1.) Apple Cider Vinegar For Ingrown Toenail
Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, these properties will help to to cure and ingrown toenail very effectively. Take a bucket or small tub and pour some warm water for soaking. The water should be warm enough, that you can withstand it. Add 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in the warm water and put your foot in the water for 15-20 minutes for soaking. Use the apple cider vinegar soaking to get rid of the ingrown toenail regularly for about 2-3 times a day. For more effective results, you can add apple cider vinegar in foods also.
2.) Use The Epsom Salt
Epsom salt cures inflammation around the toenail. Since it is antiseptic in nature, therefore, it treats the wound and softens the skin around the toes, which makes easy for you to cure ingrown toenail. Give your toe a foot bath with epsom salt and see the difference. Take a bucket or a small tub, fill warm water into it. In the warm water mix epsom salt and soak your infected toe in it. Soak your toe for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it. Take the foot bath 2-3 times a day.
3.) Hydrogen Peroxide Will Help
Hydrogen peroxide is a germicidal agent. It destroys the microorganism which breeds in the ingrown toenail. It cures the foot fungus and makes the skin soft because of which you can easily pluck out the ingrown toenail. Moreover, it controls the burning process. While treating the ingrown toenail people always face burning sensation so to avoid such sensation use hydrogen peroxide. Take a bucket or small tub and fill it half with lukewarm water. Mix a cup of hydrogen peroxide in the water. Dip your infected toe in it and leave it for 15-20 minutes.
4.) Use The Lemon Power
Lemon is considered as a fabulous antiseptic therefore it is an ideal remedy to cure an ingrown toenail. It treats the inflammation, swelling and fight bacteria infection. It is also a wonderful home remedy to treat toenail fungus and yellow nails as well. With the help of a cotton ball apply lemon juice over the infected toe. Leave it overnight and rinse your toe next day. If you are applying it during the day, then make sure that you cover the toenail after applying the lemon juice. Alternatively, you can also place a lemon slice on the infected toe and cover it with the bandage or a gauge.
5.) Take Help From Camphor
Camphor is another home remedy, which can be used to cure ingrown toenail. It helps to relieve pain, itching and helps to eliminate fungal infections around the toenail. In a small bowl mix camphor and coconut oil or cinnamon oil. Apply the mixture on the infected toe. Leave it for a night. Rinse it the following day. Repeat this remedy for a week.
6.) Use The Alcohol
You can also use alcohol to cure an ingrown toenail. Alcohol softens the skin around the infected to, which makes easy for you to remove the ingrown toenail. Moreover, it cleans the area and inhibits the growth of the bacteria. When the toe starts infecting, clean it with alcohol. Alcohol cleans the germs around the infected toe. Further, apply the alcohol on the affected area and leave it for a night. Next day rinse your toe with clean and lukewarm water.
7.) Make Your Homemade Ointment
Make your own homemade ointment to cure an ingrown toenail. This homemade recipe is easy to make, will speed up the healing process and give you instant relief. The essential oils present in this ointment will give you quick relief from the pain and stops the infection from spreading. Follow the steps given below to get rid of ingrown toenail:
- Take a jar and add 5 drops each of lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil. Add 2 drops of peppermint oil and one drop of oregano oil. Add 2 ounces of coconut oil and aloe vera gel.
- Stir the ingredients with a spoon to mix them well. Wash the infected toenail and apply this ointment. Cover it with a loose bandage so that the flow of air is maintained. Try to change the dressing of the toe 2 to 3 times in a day.
- Wash the hands with soap, especially when using oregano oil because it can cause a burning sensation to the area.
8.) Use The Turmeric
The curcumin present in turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and pain relieving properties. It is a great remedy to reduce the discomfort such as inflammation, swelling and pain. Use the remedy to cure an ingrown tails. In half teaspoon of turmeric powder, mix a little mustard oil to make a paste. Coat the affected area with this paste. Now, cover the area with bandage. Repeat the treatment 3 to 4 times daily for a couple of weeks. Alternatively, in one glass of milk add one teaspoon of turmeric. Drink this milk daily to speed up the healing process and minimize pain. You can apply an antibiotic cream that has curcumin compound. Cover the affected area with a bandage. Apply this 3 to 4 times in a day.
9.) Lilac Will Help
This is one of the most home remedies to cure an ingrown toenail. Lilac contains pain suppressing and inflammation reducing properties that minimizes the pain, inflammation and swelling caused by ingrown toenail. It stops the infection from spreading and fastens the healing process. Follow the steps given below to treat ingrown toenail.
- In 4 cups of water, boil a handful of lilac leaves. Strain the liquid and leave it to cool down.
- Submerge your affected toenail in this water for about 15 to 20 minutes. Pat that particular area dry. Repeat this process 2 times a day to get rid of ingrown nail completely.
10.) Apply Potassium Permanganate
This is one of the excellent home remedies to get rid of ingrown toenail. It is a wonderful disinfectant that helps in keeping the toes clean. This remedy can make your skin look a little brown but surely it is going to keep them germ free. Mix a little amount of potassium permanganate in one bucket of clean water. Submerge your feet in this water for at-least 20 minutes. Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times on a regular basis.
11.) Apply The Dental Floss
Dental floss is another helpful remedy to cure an ingrown toenail. All you need to do is apply the dental floss under the nail. This will help to grow the nail in the correct direction and it will not go back into the skin. Use a dental floss to gently lift the ingrown nail from the corner that is going deep into the skin. Roll a cotton ball to form a small roll. Now, place this roll between the nail and fingers. Make sure that the dental floss, which you use is not flavored. The flavored one can cause burning sensation. The main reason behind using dental floss is that it will keep the nail elevated and it will grow out and away from the skin. This method can be a little comfortable but for sure it is very effective.
12.) Use White Flower Oil
This traditional white flower oil is surely going to help you to cure an ingrown toenail. This healing oil reduces the pain that is caused by ingrown toenail. White flower oil is produced by using a number of essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender oil. It prevents the infection in first place and if it spreads then it minimizes the irritation caused by it. All you need to do is dip a cotton ball in white flower oil and rub it on the affected nail. Don’t apply white flower oil with bare hands as it is very poisonous.
13.) Use Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil is an effective solution to cure a ingrown toenail. The therapeutic and antibiotic properties present in oregano oil kills the bacteria that thrive on the affected area of the skin. It is loaded with anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic and pain relieving properties. Here are two ways to use oregano oil to cure an ingrown toenail.
- In a small tub of warm water, add one teaspoon of oregano essential oil. Soak your foot in this water. Do this for about 15 to 20 minutes. Do this 2 times daily to heal the ingrown toenail fast.
- In one teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, add one drop of oregano essential oil. Cover the affected nail with a thin layer of this oil. Leave it for a few minutes so that the oil is penetrated deep into the skin.
14.) Use The Ginger
Ginger is one of the favorable home remedy to get rid of ingrown toenail. All you need to do is grind some ginger to make a thick paste. Apply this paste directly on the affected toenail. Leave it for a few minutes and then wash the area with normal water. Another thing that you can do is mix ginger oil, sesame oil and cayenne pepper together. Now, apply this mixture on your affected nail. Repeat this remedy twice a day to heal an ingrown toenail.
15.) Apply The Vicks Vaporub
You must have heard that vicks vaporub is an excellent option to treat cold. But do you know that it is also a wonderful option to cure an ingrown toenail fast. All you need to do is rub vicks vaporub on the affected toenail. It not only heals the ingrown toenail but also keeps the nail soft and moisturized. Apply vicks vaprorub several times a day to see quick results.
16.) Use The Onion
This is one of the best home remedies to get rid of ingrown toenail. It is an excellent remedy to stop the infection from spreading further. All you need to do is cut an onion into half. Rub the half piece of onion on the affected toenail. Afterwards, you can wash the area with water.
17.) Apply Some Antibiotics Cream
Antibiotics creams can help to cure ingrown toenail instantly. Apply antibiotic cream on the affected toe after taking a shower and before hitting the sack. It will reduce the infection and help you to get rid of the pain. Antibiotics are easily available in the market. Moreover, if you are applying antibiotics at day time then cover the toe otherwise, it will draw dust on the infected toe and worsen the condition.
18.) Trim Your Nails Gently
The best way to get rid of the ingrown toenail is to discard the nail. However, it will be a painful act but is the best option. Make sure you trim the nail very gently otherwise it can worsen the condition and you might find yourself in the problematic condition. Also, keep your nail clean, the dust accumulated near the nails gives way to infection which further aggravate the problem.
19.) Wear Correct Shoes
If you are experiencing ingrown toenail then wear shoes with open-toe. The covered shoes can hurt you. Also, make sure you don’t wear tight fitting slippers or shoes otherwise the condition will worsen and you will be asked for the toe surgery. Moreover, don’t leave your toe naked. Cover it with bandage or socks. The naked toe draws the dust which worsens the condition. To avoid such condition its better to wear socks or cover the infected toe with bandage or gauge.
20.) Moisturize Your Infected Toenail
Dryness and chapped skin give way to infection and fungus in a toe. So make sure you apply an ample amount of moisturizer on your toe to keep the dryness at the bay. The best way to keep the toe moisturized is to apply petroleum jelly on the infected toe. Petroleum jelly will heal the problem and also keep the dryness away. However, do not forget to cover your infected toe. Apply the moisturizer after taking a shower and before hitting the sack.
21.) Use The Hot Water
Hot softens the brittle nail and salt in it inhibits the growth of the bacteria around. Once the nail becomes soft, you can trim it easily. In a bucket pour warm water and salt to it. Soak your affected foot in the water for 10-15 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day until you get satisfactory results.
22.) Place a Wick
It is one of the most important way to cure an ingrown toenail. Placing a wick or a roll under the ingrown toenail, the toenail will grow outside. It will not penetrate into in the skin of the toe. Roll a small piece of a cotton and place it under the ingrown toenail. Change this cotton regularly.
Other Useful Tips to Prevent Ingrown Toenail:
- Clean your feet 2 to 3 times a day with soap and water. Apply a good quality moisturizer on the affected toenail. It will moisturize the nail and make it soft so that it becomes easy to cut the ingrown nail.
- Wear comfortable and open shoes to reduce the pain and irritation caused by ingrown toenail. Maintain good foot hygiene so that infection does not spread.
- Use a good antibiotic cream to kill the bacteria and stop the infection. Don’t wear colorful socks as the dye present in it can make the infection worse. Don’t go for pedicure, if you have an ingrown toenail.