An ingrown toenail is a painful inconvenience. Slipping into a pair of shoes is uncomfortable, and walking can become an excruciating limp. While the condition is no cause for a grave health concern, it’s an irritating occurrence that requires your attention.
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail won’t go away by itself. The condition progresses causing further pain and exposure to a possible severe infection. Healthy toenails grow outwards and away from the base of the nailbed. An ingrown toenail describes a condition where the toenail grows into the side of the cuticle. Occasionally, in severe cases, the skin will fold over the nail.
Ingrown toenails differ in their severity. Some are easy to treat, while others may require a minor surgical procedure to remove the nail. The big toe is the most common victim of this dysfunctional nail growth. Skin tissue at the cuticle becomes red, sensitive, and inflamed, and you may experience weeping of pus.
If you’re dealing with an ingrown toenail, try these 10-expert treatment tips to relieve the condition.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
ACV deserves a place in everyone’s pantry. This organic vinegar contains “The Mother,” a probiotic compound that’s rich in polyphenol antioxidants. ACV has potent anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. You can use the vinegar as a tonic or topical treatment for a wide variety of adverse health conditions.
ACV is the first choice for treatment of your ingrown toenail. The acidic nature of the vinegar cleans the nail bed and cuticle, preventing further infection. Before you order your ACV, make sure you select an organic, unfiltered, and unpasteurized product. Filtering and pasteurization remove the valuable enzymes that give the ACV its healing power.
Start your treatment by creating a foot soak formula. Add one-quarter of a cup of ACV to warm water in your foot tub. Soak your affected foot in the tub for 30-minutes. Repeat this treatment two to three times a day until the ingrown toenail heals.
In between your soaking sessions, dab ACV on a cotton ball and press it into the affected area. Wrap it with a bandage and let it sit for a few hours.
