Do I have an ingrown toenail?!
Question: Do I have an ingrown toenail?
The thing is, it doesn't even hurt. If I press on the corner of the nail, it hurts like a tiny tiny bit. I've kind of had this before, except without the puss, and it hurt a lot more than what it does now.
Also, my sister has had an ingrown toenail, a very bad one. So, if it is an ingrown toenail, what can I do now to get rid of it?
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Poor you. I had ingrown toe nails growing up. You have to go to the doctor, they numb toe and trim the edge of the nail. I had this done so many times, every 2 months, until finally I had surgery. They either remove the root of the nail (from the edge, so nail is a little narrower), or apply a chemical to the root on the edge. If they persist then you might want to have surgery. You can try soaking your feet in Epsom salt, which you can buy at the dollar tree (in western USA). Don't let it get so bad like I did, I had brown pus soaking my sock, I was so scared to go to the doctor again. I almost got an infection in the bone. Good luck
If it is early in the course of the ingrown toenail, then home care may be successful in preventing the need for surgery.
1.Soak the foot in warm water four times a day. You do not need to add soap, salts, or antibacterial agents to the water.
2.Wash the foot, including the affected area, twice a day with soap and water. Keep the foot clean and dry during the rest of the day.
3.Do not wear high heels or tight-fitting shoes. Consider wearing sandals, if possible, until the condition clears up.
4.Try to lift up the corner of the nail that is digging into the skin. Take a small piece of cotton or gauze and roll it between your fingers to form a small roll or wick. Then place the roll between the nail and the skin to keep it elevated. This is painful but is the most important part of home treatment. After every soaking, try to push the roll a little farther in. Change the roll out every day. It may take from seven to 15 days for the nail to grow out so that it does not poke into the skin any longer.