An extremely uncomfortable and inconvenient foot condition is ingrown toenails. For pain relief and optimum foot health, it’s imperative to find the quickest and most efficient treatment method.
In this blog, we will examine the causes of an ingrown toenail, the importance of promoting foot health, identifying the early warning signs of this condition, and exploring various treatment options, including the use of Epsom salt at home.
We’ll also go over the advantages of taking proper care of ingrown toenails over time, as well as the advantages of consulting a local podiatrist for help.
Overview of Ingrown Toe nails: Causes and Embracing Foot Health
An Ingrown toenail is a common and frequently excruciating foot condition that develops when the toenail’s edges grow into the skin around them. Redness, swelling, tenderness, and, in extreme cases, infection may result from this. Adopting good foot hygiene habits is essential to preventing the growth of ingrown toenails and maintaining general foot health.
Ingrown toenail causes:
- Improper Nail Trimming: Rounding the corners of the nail or cutting it too short can cause the nail to grow into the skin.
- Tight-Fitting Shoes: When wearing shoes that are too tight, particularly those with narrow toe boxes, the toes can become compressed, which can lead to the nail growing inward.
- Genetic Predisposition: Some people have a genetic predisposition to an ingrown toenail.
- Trauma or Injury: Scratching your toe or dropping heavy objects on it can alter the way your nails grow.
- Improper nail care: Ingrown toenails can be caused by picking or tearing at the corners of the nails rather than using the proper trimming methods
Supporting Foot Health
- How to Trim Your Nails Correctly: Cut toenails straight across the nail edge with quality toenail clippers and don’t trim them too short. Keep a very small curve to match the toe’s shape.
- Appropriate Footwear: Select footwear that fits comfortably and leaves enough room for your toes to move freely. Footwear that is too small will press on your toes and enable the creation of ingrown nails.
- Good Hygiene: To avoid bacterial or fungal infections, keep your feet dry and clean.
- Routine Inspection: Regularly examine your feet for any indications of an ingrown toenail or other foot problems.
- Professional Assistance: Consult a podiatrist for advice and treatment if you frequently get an ingrown toenail or experience persistent pain – they are the undisputed experts to remedy ingrown toenails.
Addressing the Pain
What To Do At The First Signs of Ingrown Toe Nail
In order to address an ingrown toenail as soon as possible, it is essential to recognise its early symptoms. Early symptoms frequently include redness, mild pain, and tenderness along the sides of the toe nail. The affected area may become more painful and swollen as the condition worsens. Ignoring these symptoms can worsen the condition, resulting in infection and excruciating discomfort.
It’s best to start conservative treatments at home in these circumstances. Warm water soaking the affected foot can help to soften the skin, making it simpler to carefully lift the ingrown nail’s edge away from the skin. When combined with the use of Epsom salt, this technique can be especially effective.
How to Remove an Ingrown Toe nail at Home Using Epsom Salt
Epsom salt, also referred to as magnesium sulphate in science, is well known for its medicinal uses. Epsom salt, when used in a warm foot soak, can ease the pain and discomfort brought on by an ingrown toenail. Warm water helps to speed up healing by relaxing the foot muscles and enhancing blood flow.
Making an Epsom salt foot soak involves:
- Fill a sink with warm water, making sure it’s not scalding hot for your toe or toenails.
- Pour in a tablespoon of Epsom salt and let it dissolve in the water.
- Soak the injured toenails in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes.
Repeat this procedure daily until relief is felt, then gently pat the foot and toenails dry and use a clean cotton ball to carefully lift the ingrown nail’s edge away from the skin.
Why Epsom Salt Can Aid in Relieving Toe Nail Pain
Epsom salt, also referred to as magnesium sulphate in science, provides a safe and efficient natural treatment for easing the pain brought on by an ingrown toenail. This versatile substance possesses a number of characteristics that support its capacity to reduce toe nail pain.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Magnesium sulphate has anti-inflammatory qualities that can help lessen the inflammation and redness around an ingrown toe nail, relieving pain.
- Better Blood Circulation: The warm water used in Epsom salt foot soaks helps the affected area’s blood flow. The removal of toxins from the surrounding tissues and faster healing are both supported by this improved circulation.
- Muscle Relaxation: The relaxing warmth of the Epsom salt solution relaxes the foot and toe muscles, which can add to a general feeling of comfort and relaxation.
- Acceleration of Recovery: The anti-inflammatory effects, increased circulation, and muscle relaxation all work together to hasten the healing of the ingrown toenail.
Please note: While Epsom salt foot, toe & nail soaks can effectively treat mild cases of ingrown toenails, it’s important to keep in mind that they may not be able to treat more serious cases or toenails infection. To ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, it is advised to seek professional medical advice if you experience persistent pain, symptoms of infection, or worsening symptoms.
Long-Term Health Benefits of Treating Toe Nails Right To Prevent It Happening
An ingrown toenail will require prompt and appropriate treatment in addition to relieve ingrown toenail pain. By taking immediate action to address the toe and nail issue, you can enjoy long-term advantages that enhance your general foot health and wellbeing. These advantages include:
- Greater Foot Comfort: If you take care of your ingrown toenails, you won’t have any pain or discomfort when you walk or stand.
- Lower Risk of Infections: Early intervention lowers the risk of nail infection and prevents potentially serious complications that may arise from untreated ingrown toenails.
- Uninterrupted Exercise: When toenails are treated correctly, you can resume your regular exercise routine without being bothered by the discomfort and limitations that come with ingrown toenails.
- Preventing the Emergence of Chronic Issues: By treating ingrown toenails, you can prevent ingrown toenails having ongoing problems that may necessitate more invasive treatments or nail surgery.
Visit Your Local Podiatrist
The Quickest Way to Foot Health and Ingrown Toe nail Removal
Even though DIY toe remedies like Epsom salt foot & toe soaks can temporarily alleviate swelling, it’s important to understand the limitations of self nail treatment.
The best method and easiest ways for effective treatment for an ingrown toenail is to consult a qualified podiatrist. Podiatrists are qualified medical professionals with a focus on the treatment of the foot, toe and ankle. They are skilled at determining the severity of an ingrown toenail, creating individualised treatment plans, and, if required, carrying out minor nail procedures. All podiatrist treatments are medically reviewed and evidenced based, backed by decades of clinical research such as from the Mayo Clinic and NIH Gov.
The advantages of seeking professional help from a local podiatrist include:
- Accurate Diagnosis: Podiatrists are able to accurately determine the severity of the ingrown toenail and the best course of treatment.
- Successful Treatment: Podiatrists provide a variety of options for treatment, including minor surgical procedures to remove the ingrown nail’s portion, ensuring successful and long-lasting relief.
- Preventive Advice: Podiatrists can offer helpful advice on good foot care habits to avoid recurring cases of an ingrown toenail.
- Minimised Risk: Professional care ensures optimal foot health and lowers the risk of complications like infections.
The BS Brace Provides A Painless Solution For Ingrown Toe nails, And Will Prevent Them From Coming Back
If a conservative approach to treating ingrown toenails is unsuccessful or is not in your best interest, we can perform a quick and secure toe surgical procedure under local anaesthetic to remove the nail. The nail is then covered with a liquid solution to stop the ingrown-toenail from growing back.
Most nail procedures are completed in under an hour, allowing you to leave our clinic and resume a more active and comfortable lifestyle.
Depending on your circumstances, the price of toenails surgery can vary, but you can expect to pay $250 to $450 on average. The cost of the toenail surgery may be partially covered by private health insurance, depending on your level of coverage.
However, the BS Brace would be advised for you if you detest needles and dread the idea of having to have your toenails cut (and believe us, the majority of people feel this way).
Closing thoughts on the right way to treat ingrown toe nails...
Ingrown toenails can interfere with daily activities and harm foot and toe health. You can ease discomfort and speed up healing by adopting good foot and toe health practices, spotting early indications of ingrown toenails, and taking into account natural remedies like Epsom salt soaks.
But it is strongly advised to seek professional help from a nearby podiatrist for the quickest and most dependable toe nail relief. Making foot, toe & nail health a priority will help you live a more comfortable, active, and fulfilling life.
If you think you may have an ingrown toenail and want the right professional advice on how to treat it, we currently have a limited offer running to help you out. A GAP FREE ingrown toenail assessment consult (only $59 for those without extras private insurance).
Please feel free to book yourself in online or call our friendly Reception on (03) 8104 9270 today.
Ingrown Toenails
Understand how you get ingrown toenails and what you can do to get rid of them once and for all. You don't need to put up with the pain of an ingrown toenail any longer.
