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How to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenails with Home Remedies

Nails can make us feel pain, and the person suffering from ingrown toenails knows the fact better than anyone. Though there is confusion and debate over why we all have fingernails?

According to scientific research, we can say that nails are flattened of paws and toenails, which were supposed to use for climbing trees in the past.

But whatever the fact is, we cannot deny that fingernails and toenails are as much necessary as the other body parts, and taking care of them is a must.

Today, we will discuss How to get rid of Ingrown Toenails. Before discussing the remedies, let us briefly know what Ingrown Toenail is and how it develops.

In This Article

  1. What are Ingrown Toenails
  2. How do Ingrown Toenails Develop
  3. How to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenails
  4. Ingrown Toenail Prevention

What are Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails or Onychogryphosis was a common painful nail disorder when the ingrown toenail ruptures the soft skin adjacent to the nail plate.

Due to this, the tissues of the toenail get infected, and inflammation and pain. The situation may turn worse if not treated in time.

How do Ingrown Toenails Develop?

Ingrowing toenails can develop in both men and women at any age. Those who have sweaty feet may face this problem very often. Let us see the common reasons how Ingrown toenails occur:

  • Cutting toenails at a wrong angle so that the nails grow into the surrounding skin. Also, cutting nails in an extra short shape.
  • Improper tight shoes that are angular in shape.
  • Tight socks and stockings that put much pressure on the toe.
  • Damp shoe wear that causes swelling and infection.
  • Lack of nail care and broken toenail may cause such problems.

How to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenails

At the first stage of an ingrown toenail, a few symptoms come out, including red, swollen skin around the nail, build-up of fluid, and the surrounding skin becoming tenders or extra hard.

As the infection goes deeper, bleeding, severe pain, and the formation of pus occurs. Start the home remedies before the situation goes out of your hand.

1. Wash Foot with Castile Soap

 Castile soap is a pure natural soap that is a derivative of olive oil. There is no synthetic detergent or animal fat; it is good for the skin.

It originated in the Castile region of Spain, and it can be made from coconut oil, almond oil, or other vegetable oil. Nowadays, it is available in all medical stores.

How to use

  • Take lukewarm water in a tub.
  • Mix 1-1/2 tablespoon full of castile soap and mix well.
  • Soak the affected toenail for 20 to 30 minutes. Do this for a few days.
  • The natural and pure ingredient components of castile soap will help to reduce your problem.

2. Onion Juice Treatment

Onion is a common ingredient in every kitchen to make delicious food. Apart from using onion in food, it benefits our skin and health.

Onions have antibacterial properties, so they have been used to heal wounds in the ancient day. Also, the phytochemicals help to fight against free radicals and reduce inflammation.

How to use

  • Take half of an onion.
  • Bring it to form a smooth paste.
  • Strain with a cotton cloth to separate the juice.
  • Mix 3-5 drops of lemon juice and stir it well.
  • Apply on the infected toenail with a cotton ball.
  • Use it twice a day.

3. Treat with Vicks Vaporub

Camphor and menthol are the two primary components of Vicks vapour, suitable for use as a topical analgesic.

By applying Vicks Vaporub, it is possible to get rid of the pain of Ingrowing toenails.

How to use

• Take one teaspoon of Vicks Vaporub.

• Take one garlic clove and smash it well to mix well with the fix.

• Mix them both well, apply them to the affected toenails, and cover them with a cotton bandage.

• Keep it overnight. For the desired result, repeat the process for six days.

Also Read: 10 Natural Remedies For Mouth Ulcers

4. Cure with Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera gel is best known for its use in skin problems as it acts as a conditioner on sunburn burns etc.

It contains antioxidants that are beneficial for treating any infection and inflammation.

How to use

  • It’s good to use fresh aloe vera gel extracted from aloe vera stem at home. All you have to do is to take one thick aloe vera stem.
  • Cut the leaf into pieces, and you will get the white gel-like substance.
  • Collect the gel in a bowl and stir it well.
  • Apply a cotton ball to the troubled toenail.
  • Cover it with a bandage and repeat for 4 to 5 days.

5. Use Essential Oils

Essential oils are blessings for us as they help treat minor health problems like Ingrowing toenails at home. On the application, they reduce the swelling and pain.

How to use

  • Take 2-4 drops of essential oil like oregano oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, and rosemary oil.
  • Add all the essential oil with one teaspoon of base oil. You can use coconut oil as the base oil.
  • Blend all the oil with a spoon.
  • Wash the affected area and wipe dry.
  • Apply the blended essential oil with a cotton ball.
  • Stay bare for some time so that it could dry.
  • Repeat twice a day for five days to get the best results.

6. Use Of Neem

Neem is a well-known medicinal plant, and it’s in used to make ayurvedic medicine since the ancient age.

It’s a natural antibacterial agent that heals wounds naturally. The oil extracted from Neem seed has the superpower to combat bacteria.

How to use

  • Take 15 Neem leaves and boil them in two glasses of water until the water turns green.
  • Strain the water with a strainer and pour it into a glass bottle.
  • Wash the toenail before applying Neem water with a cotton ball.
  • Anyone can also use Neem seed oil on the affected toenails
  • Continue the application for several days.

Also Read: Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure

7. Apply Hot and Cold Foot Bath

Taking a hot bath for the foot is an effective way to get rid of toenail pain. In the case of ingrowing toenails, the skin around the nail often gets too hard to remove. The only hot foot bath can soften it, and it becomes tender enough to cut.

How to use

  • Take lukewarm water in a tub so that you can dip your toe. Similarly, take a tub with cold water
  • Add some Magnesium Sulphate or Epsom salt to hot water.
  • Soak your foot in hot water for 30-40 sec, and then soak it in cold water, which has no Epsom salt.
  • Make sure to repeat the procedure for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day.

8. Use Of Garlic

Garlic is a valuable herb that makes our food super tasty and, at the same time, serves many health disorders.

It has natural antibacterial properties that help to fight against inflammation.

How to use

  • Take two or three cloves of Garlic.
  • Smash the cloves with mortar to get a smooth paste.
  • Add one teaspoonful of olive oil with it.
  • Apply with a clean cotton swab to paste the affected area and cover it with a bandage for a better result.
  • Allow it to stay for a few hours.
  • Repeat the application for 4 to 5 days.

9. Cure With Lemon Juice and Honey

Honey is a natural healer as it has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lemon juice is useful for a specific infection.

How to use

  • Take one and a half teaspoonfuls of honey in a bowl.
  • Add 2 to 3 lemon drops into it and mix well.
  • Apply to the area of the toenail with a cotton ball.
  • Leave it for half an hour.
  • Repeat for 4 to five days.

Visit this article: How to get rid of Toenail Fungus Fast

10. Treat with Apple Cider Vinegar

There is no other ingredient like Apple cider vinegar that serves us. It does multipurpose uses. Apart from other applications, it has super antibacterial power to fight against infection and inflammation.

To fix the problem like an ingrown toenail, it acts as an antiseptic and prevents infection.

How to use

  • Take a big tub and fill it with a half bucket of warm water.
  • Dip the affected toenail into it for half an hour. Then Pat it dry.
  • Take a cotton ball and pour a small quantity of apple cider vinegar into it and cover the affected area. Use a bandage to keep it in the proper place.

11. Treat Ingrown Toenail with Magnesium Sulphate

Magnesium sulphate is a common ingredient in many nail-care products. It can be used to treat ingrown toe nails (onychomycosis).

Treating Ingrown Toenail with Epsom Salt or Magnesium Sulphate

  1. Fill a small bowl or cup with warm water and add magnesium sulphate to it. Soak your feet in the water and the magnesium sulphate for about 20 minutes.
  2. Apply a thin layer of magnesium sulphate to the infected area of your toe. Leave the magnesium sulfate on for at least two hours, and up to six hours if necessary.
  3. Rinse your feet well with warm water and dry them off. Apply a topical cream or ointment to your feet if desired.

Ingrown Toenail Prevention

Last but not least as prevention is always better than cure; so we can also prevent ingrowing toenails from building up by following a few steps.

  • Trim up the toenail in a straight way.
  • Use proper shoes and clean socks.
  • Maintain foot hygiene.
  • Use the appropriate footwear if you are in a profession where you have to use your toe continuously, such as football playing, etc.

So, friends, I hope the above home remedies will prove fruitful in solving your problem and reducing the risk of severe infection.

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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