Ingrown toenail is an aching nail infection, which is medically termed as ‘onychocryptosis’. It is characterized by the growth of a pointed nail as well as added tissue inside the nail bed and often results into severe inflammation, pain and discharge of yellowish fluid. However, there a number of ways to fight against this disease and get the healthy nails back. Check them out below:
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenails
1. Lemon
Cut a very thin slice from a fresh lemon and tie it on the affected nail of your toe by using a gauze or a simple bandage. Do it every night before going to bed so that the infection gets enough time to be healed by the acidic properties of the fruit.
Add 4 to 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a half-filled tub of water. Soak your feet in this mixture for 15 to 20 minutes every day. Applying apple cider vinegar directly to the troubled parts of your feet can also help you fix the problem to a large extent. It has also been found that consuming it directly or with honey is helpful for curing ingrown toenails.
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3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is widely known for its excellent antibiotic as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Apply it directly to the infected toenails with the help of a small cotton swab. Doing it a couple of times every day will give you relief from pain and soften the skin greatly so that the infected nail can be removed without any effort.
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Just like tea tree essential oil, you can also use lavender essential oil for treating your ingrown nails. It has wonderful properties similar to the previous one and hence, fast relief can be expected. Apply twice daily with the help of a cotton ball and the result will be visible within 1 to 2 weeks.
5. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil can be used both externally and internally for curing ingrown toenails. Mix it with some olive oil (carrier oil) and dab to the troubled spots of your nails with a cotton swab at least thrice a day. Otherwise, put a few drops of it into water or fruit juice and drink every day. In both cases, the infection will reduce in a few days and your pain will go away completely.
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6. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) can also be of great help in treating ingrown toenails successfully. Take 3 to 4 tablespoons of the salt and mix it with a pot filled with water. Submerge your feet in this solution for 20 to 25 minutes at least twice a day. It makes the affected skin much softer, thereby drawing the nail out painlessly.
7. White Flower Oil
White flower oil is a Chinese herbal medication that has long been used for ingrown toenail treatment. All you need to do is apply 2 to 3 drops of this healing oil to your affected nails in a regular manner. You can see the difference in just 1 week.
Other Methods to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenails
- Add a few drops of liquid antibiotic soap to a container filled with tepid water and immerse your feet in it.
- Pour some undiluted hydrogen peroxide onto a cotton ball and apply to your ingrown nails directly.
- Pat dry your feet each time after soaking them in warm water. Then, apply an antibiotic ointment to the troubled spots and cover it with a bandage.
Once the skin becomes soft enough to be removed without pain, just cut it off carefully.
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