Onychocryptosis, or what we commonly know as an ingrown toenail, is a painful nail disease in which the nail grows directly into one or both sides of the nail bed, cutting it.
This nail disease is generally found in those people who wear shoes for a long time on the daily basis.
In this condition, a sharp or pointed nail digs inside the nail bed, causing pain and inflammation.
1. Epsom Salt:
Epsom salt, scientifically known as magnesium sulfate, is effective for treating ingrown toenails.
It helps soften the skin around the affected area, which makes it easy to draw out the ingrown nail. It also helps bring down the inflammation.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a foot tub filled with warm water.
- Soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes.
- Remove from water and dry your feet thoroughly.
- Repeat this remedy 3 or 4 times a week.
2. Soak Your Feet:
Foot baths are a very important part of the treatment as they soften the nail and the surrounding skin and make other remedies more efficient. It’s important to:
How to use:
- Soak your feet regularly and for long enough – do your foot bath 2 to 4 times daily for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Use hot or warm water.
3. Cotton Wedge:
You can apply this tip right after using the warm water in order to achieve a better natural ingrown toenail treatment.
After soaking in warm water, you can put a cotton wedge underneath the ingrown toenail so that it can start growing outward. Furthermore, it will help you alleviate pain as well as accelerate the healing.
How to use:
- After soaking in warm water, dry your feet meticulously.
- Then use a pair of blunt tweezers to lift up the ingrown toenail in order to insert the cotton piece underneath it.
- Change the cotton each time the feet are soaked in order to avoid infection.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is also helpful for ingrown toenails. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory nature can help relieve the symptoms.
Plus, its mild acidic nature prevents infection. Follow either of these remedies 2 or 3 times daily until you are satisfied with the result.
How to use:
- Mix equal amounts of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and warm water in a small foot tub.
- Soak the affected toenail in this solution for 20 to 30 minutes. When done, dry your toenail thoroughly.
- Another option is to soak a cotton ball in raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and place it on the affected area.
- Cover it with a bandage for a couple of hours, then remove it.
5. Turmeric:
You can also use turmeric to get rid of ingrown toenail discomforts, such as pain, swelling and inflammation.
The compound curcumin in turmeric has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving ability.
How to use:
- Make a paste of ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and a little mustard oil. Smear the paste all over the affected toe and cover it with a bandage. Repeat 2 or 3 times daily for several days.
- Alternatively, apply antibiotic cream containing curcumin on the tender area and bandage the toe.
- Reapply 2 or 3 times daily.
- Also, boil 1 teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of milk. Drink it twice daily to reduce pain and speed up the healing process.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide:
This disinfectant is an essential component within the natural ingrown toenail treatment because it can lower infection risk while alleviating inflammation and pain.
How to use:
- Put half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the tub of warm water.
- Put your feet into the tub and soak for about 20 minutes.
- Practice 1 – 2 times every day.
7. Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil is another antiseptic remedy that can help to relieve pain and reduce the risk of infection due to an ingrown toenail.
How to use:
- Take 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Mix them well and apply it on the ingrown toenail.
- Make sure you need to cover it after apply the solution.
- Repeat this two three times in a day for few days.
8. Lemon:
How to use:
- Take a slice of lemon and tie it on the toe with the help of a bandage or gauze.
- Leave it as it is for the whole night. The acidity of the lemon will cure the infection.
- The remedy is proof enough of the effectiveness of curing ingrown toenail treatment with home remedies.
9. Vick’s Vaporub:
Most ingrown toenail home remedies will work better if the nail is soft enough to be manipulated with the cotton technique or dental floss.
If you don’t have time to soak your toe three times a day with Epsom salts, then pick up a jar of Vick’s.
Vaporub soothes pain, keeps the area moisturized, and softens the nail for more effective results.
How to use:
- Carefully wash the foot and dry it.
- Gently spread Vaporub over the inflammation.
- Proceed with other treatments for lifting the nail.
- Wrap with a gauze.
