Anyone who’s ever had to deal with ingrown toenails can vouch that they’re super painful. And, no, we’re not talking about a measly little toenail problem.
An ingrown toenail is far more serious and harrowing. They’re known for creeping into the corners and edges of your toenail curves.
From there, the nail grows into the surrounding skin, which if left untreated, can lead to swelling and redness.
Since it’s a common condition among men and women, there are many underlying causes.
According to the National Health Services, people with sweaty feet are more likely to suffer more ingrown toenails.
Age is also a risk factor as the skin around your toes thickens as you age, which can very easily lead to ingrown toenails.
Here are some well-known causes of this irksome foot condition.
Common Causes Of Ingrown Toenails
- Irregular, curved, and uneven toenails
- Cutting toenail unevenly or incorrectly, which includes trimming the toenails straight across
- Poor posture that exerts extra pressure on the feet, resulting in ingrown toenails
- Improper foot hygiene like not cleaning or washing sweaty often
- Genetic predisposition to ingrown toenails
- Suffocating footwear that places pressure on the big toes and increases the chances of flat feet
- A traumatic toenail injury like painful stubbing or something heavy landing on the toes
Apart from the genetic predisposition, all of the causes above can be treated and prevented.
Even when ingrown toenails are a common occurrence, with the right remedies, they can be quite easy to control.
Thankfully, nature has been endowed with incredibly healing remedies for this ailment specifically.
You don’t need to resort to expensive medicines, ointments, or cosmetic procedures to wish ingrown toenails away.
Below are some of the most effective solutions for fast ingrown toenail pain relief.
1. Prepare An Epsom Salt Soak
Epsom salt has been traditionally used to prepare soothing foot soaks for several ailments.
It essentially contains magnesium and sulfate that work together to stimulate detoxification through the feet.
A foot soak infused with Epsom salt can heal away dry, peeling, and red skin.
It reduces pain and soreness caused by ingrown toenails and offers instant relief for the inflammation.
Dipping your feet in a warm tub of Epsom salt water is one of the quickest ways to heal ingrown toenail infections.
The bath is a good time to gently scrub your feet and clean away all the trapped dirt in the toenails.
This reduces foot odor and keeps excess sweat at bay, lowering the chances of ingrown toenails. Here’s what you need:
- 1-2 cups of Epsom salts
- A tub full of warm water to soak your feet in
- A towel to dry
- Pedicure tools for cleaning and exfoliating
Stir the salt nicely into the water. Make sure the water isn’t scalding hot; otherwise, it could aggravate your ingrown toenail infection.
Slowly dip your feet in the warm tub and allow them to rest for 30-40 minutes.
Do this daily before bed to see visible improvement in your foot condition.
2. Soak In Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is a powerful skincare elixir with over twenty different benefits.
Commonly known used for warts and blisters, ACV also offers fast ingrown toenail pain relief.
Since it’s high in acetic acid, it can kill several types of harmful bacteria that might aggravate your toenail infection.
Traditionally used for wound cleaning, ACV has potent pain-relieving, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
It can disinfect the toenail and quickly bring down painful swelling and redness.
However, since the acid can be too strong, it’s important to dilute it with water.
For this reason, an ACV foot soak is the perfect solution for fast ingrown toenail pain relief.
You can also enhance the foot soak with a few drops of Chamomile essential oil. Here’s what you need:
- ¼ cup of ACV
- A bucket full of warm water
- 6-7 drops of Chamomile essential oil
Prepare a warm foot soak and treat your feet to its soothing warmth for 20-30 minutes every day.
Make sure to thoroughly wash and dry your feet after soaking as the smell can be overpowering.
3. Soften The Nail With Tea Tree Oil
Ingrown toenails are usually thick, which makes them hard to cut, causing them to penetrate the skin.
In addition to foot soaks, you can use soft cotton dipped in some tea tree oil to reduce the infection or fungus.
This will soften the nail over time, making it easier to trim off and keep the area clean.
Since tea tree oil is a multi-purpose substance, it has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities to relieve foot discomfort.
Simply rub the cotton ball with the oil around the toenail at least twice daily for visible improvements.
4. Baking Soda And Water
For fast ingrown toenail pain relief, use a baking soda concoction.
As a gentle abrasive, it has natural sanitizing and antiseptic properties to maintain infection-free toenails.
Baking soda also has antifungal properties to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth around the toenail.
Using this solution even twice a week will do wonders for your ingrown toenails. Here’s what you need:
- ½ tsp of baking soda
- 1 tsp of water
- Sanitary gauze or a band-aid
Make a thick paste and apply it on the affected area. Cover the toenail with a band-aid and allow it to work overnight.
Do this daily for at least a week to alleviate pain and redness.
5. Crushed Garlic And Turmeric
Garlic and turmeric are great for toenail pain relief.
Crushed garlic contains an anti-microbial compound that protects the ingrown toenail from further damage.
It is naturally antiseptic and soothes pain in the affected toenail.
Turmeric is a medicinal spice containing curcumin that exhibits anti-inflammatory and soothing properties for ingrown toenails.
By combining the two, you are creating a potent remedy to soften and heal your toenails. Here’s what you need:
- 1 Garlic clove (crushed)
- 1 tsp of turmeric
- A few drops of water
Combine the ingredients and make a fine paste. Apply on the affected toenail at least 2 to 3 times daily, making sure to wash it off thoroughly afterward.
So, that’s it – the five most effective remedies for fast ingrown toenail pain relief!
Make sure to use these methods diligently to reap their benefits and say goodbye to ingrown toenails!
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