Page 57 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: SKIN, HAIR, AND NAIL PROBLEMS 55

Ingrown toenail

If your toe is painful, red, and swollen around the nail, the most likely cause is an ingrown nail. Big toes
are most often affected. The nail begins to grow down into the skin on either side and the area becomes
inflamed. Sometimes, the skin around the nail becomes infected, in which case there may be a discharge of
pus. Cutting toenails incorrectly and wearing shoes that cramp the feet are the prime causes of this problem.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
How to cut toenails Adopt this nail-
● Your toenail is inflamed and infected
cutting routine to help prevent ingrown toenails.
● You have diabetes or poor circulation
If you are elderly, or if you have diabetes or poor
vision, seek specialist advice about nail care.
Soften your toenails
What you can do yourself before you trim them
1 by soaking them for
In the early stages, when your toe is only slightly
10 minutes in a bowl
inflamed, you can treat it with the following
of warm water or in
measures. They may be enough to stop the the bath. This will
problem from getting worse. make them easier to
cut, especially if they
● Soak your foot twice a day for about 10 minutes
are tough or thick.
in a bowl of warm water into which you have
added 2–3 tablespoonfuls of salt. Put on a dry
dressing to protect the toe. Wear open-toed sandals.
● Don’t cut the nail until it has fully recovered. Use sharp nail scissors
or clippers to cut
● Don’t use nail polish or nail-polish remover
2 your toenails straight
on the nail while it is inflamed.
across. Shape them so
that they are rounded
slightly at the tip,
but don’t cut into
the corners since this
PREVENTION encourages them to
grow inward. Smooth
Preventing ingrown nails The the nail edges with
simplest way to prevent ingrown toenails is to take a fine-textured file.
good care of your feet.
If a toenail is already growing into the skin,
● Wash your feet every day and dry them carefully.
don’t dig the scissors or clippers into the
● Don’t wear shoes that squeeze or press on your 3 corner of the nail or try to push anything
toes. Avoid pointed styles and high heels. under the affected nail.
● Change your socks, tights, or pantyhose daily and
wear cotton socks rather than synthetics. Open-toed
pantyhose and tights are available in some stores.
● Make sure you cut your toenails correctly
(see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● Your toe is getting worse or is not getting
better after a few days of home treatment