Quote:
Originally posted by raeanna74
If it's just a minor ingrown toe nail that you haven't had for a while you might be able to avoid seeing the Dr. Especially since you say is doesn't hurt unless you poke it. I have had more than one ingrown nail simply because I cut them too short a few times. Hubby used to have them all the time because he would tear his nails instead of cutting them. I have avoided a few trips to the Dr's when I did what I'd already seen them do to help the nail. I have even dealt with it when there was a pocket of puss already. If there is it's probably best to see a Dr though.
As mentioned above - its an excellent idea to soak your foot in an epsom salt bath. Best if you can handle the toe to file the corner of your nail until its more rounded and won't "dig" as much. Then lift the nail and push a small piece of cotton underneath. Just under the corner. This will lift the corner away from your toe so it doesn't dig in. This little manuver has helped me avoid going to the Dr's MANY times. It's best to remove before you shower each day and put a clean one in afterwards. Make sure keep it clean. If it is very painful to handle you could use some orajel or any topical mouth pain reliever with Benzocain in it. That will numb it just long enough so that you can mess with your toe without biting your tongue off. Use some antibiotic ointment on your toe before putting the cotton on as this will help prevent infection. It should only take a couple days before it doesn't hurt anymore but you may want to keep replacing the cotton until it looks like the corner of your nail isn't pressing into the skin when the cotton isn't underneath. Just long enough for it to grow out past that point.
Good Luck and I hope this helps.
|
Yeah, good answer. I always soak them well, then grit my teeth and try to dig out the offending corner and file it down or clip it.
This is of course assuming that it isnt too bad.