Ingrown toenail: Learn More – How to cut toenails properly (2024)

FAQs

Ingrown toenail: Learn More – How to cut toenails properly? ›

It is important to make sure that you cut your toenails straight across, leaving them long enough so that the corners lie loosely against the skin at the sides. In other words, don't trim your toenails too short, don't round the edges, and also don't try to cut the toenails into a pointy V-shape.

For a slightly ingrown nail that isn't infected or swollen:

Cut the affected toenail straight across, make sure that you don't cut the toenail too short, there should still be at least 1-2 mm of white at the end. It's very important that the nail is cut straight, avoid cutting it in a rounded or pointed shape.

The American Academy of Dermatology also recommend that people avoid digging out or clipping an already ingrown nail. Sometimes, an ingrown nail can break the skin. This makes it easier for bacteria and other microbes to enter the skin, potentially causing a painful infection.

Using cotton and dental floss is an easier way to remove portions of the nail that may have grown deep into the skin. After you have soaked your feet and used Epsom salt as well, place cotton around the affected area. Once this is done, you can use the dental floss to pull out portions of the nail by flossing it out.

Both the experts on our team and the experts at the American Academy of Dermatology advise against trying to dig out an ingrown toenail yourself. For starters, it will hurt. Furthermore, your efforts or the nail itself could break the skin around your toe. This, in turn, could lead to an infection.

Stage 3 ingrown toenail

At this stage, the inflamed skin has started to grow over the rest of the toenail, and pus is continuing to ooze out of the wound. You will want to make an appointment with a foot specialist as soon as possible if you notice these symptoms.

An ingrown toenail can be permanently corrected with a procedure called a chemical matrixectomy. This procedure involves removing either a portion of the nail that is ingrown or the entire toenail in certain cases. To perform this procedure, we will first numb the toe with a local anesthetic.

A stage 1 ingrown toenail can be very mild and hardly noticeable. In this initial stage, the nail has started to grow into the skin or the skin has started to grow over the nail. There is typically some pain and inflammation, as well as some redness and swelling.

Leaving an ingrown nail untreated will only lead to more severe toe pain. In addition to the pain, it can also lead to ingrown toenail pus, an indication of a swollen toe infection. It can sometimes lead to deeper bone infections in very severe cases.

When to go to the podiatrist for an ingrown nail. Minor ingrown toenails can heal on their own as the nail grows out. However, severe or infected ingrown nails require professional medical care.

What kills the root of an ingrown toenail? ›

A chemical (phenol or sodium hydroxide) is applied to the nail root to kill the cells that are producing that portion of the ingrowing nail, then neutralized. In the vast majority of cases that portion of the nail does not grow back and permanent relief from the ingrown toenail is usually achieved.

Hydrogen Peroxide is another powerful disinfectant and helps keep your ingrown toenails clean and free from infection. Adding a small amount to your basin of warm water will help to keep the area clean, however, it works best on fresh wounds and shouldn't be the only remedy used.

Another essential part of caring for an ingrown toenail is applying antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly. You can then cover the ingrown nail with a bandage to protect it from bacteria and infection.

The truth is: if a toenail is already ingrown, nail technicians are supposed to refer the client to a podiatrist. Any cutting of live skin, digging down into the skin, or even cleaning under the nail too deeply or in the wrong spot, can be very dangerous. It can result in discomfort, irritation, and even infection.

The answer is that if a toenail is already ingrown, it is best not to attempt to cut it by yourself.

If you have signs of infection or a severe ingrown toenail, don't attempt to cut it yourself. If you cut the nail, the condition may get worse.

When to go to the podiatrist for an ingrown nail. Minor ingrown toenails can heal on their own as the nail grows out. However, severe or infected ingrown nails require professional medical care.

For certain conditions, such as ingrown toenails, circulatory problems, fungal infections, or warts, treatment may be started at your first visit. They will also likely tidy up your feet, such as trimming your nails and removing any dry or thickened skin.

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