How To Naturally Relieve An Ingrown Toenail
ShareIf you are dealing with an ingrown toenail, you may be wondering if you should visit your doctor or podiatrist. An ingrown toenail can be problematic and you may be wondering if there are things you can do at home to help relieve the condition. This is especially true if you cannot get to the doctor right away. The good news is that there are ways in which you can deal with an ingrown toenail at home.
Soak the Foot
One way in which you can help relieve your ingrown toenail is to soak your feet. You can put your feet in some soapy water and leave it for about half an hour. You can do this for about three or four times throughout the day to help the ingrown toenail soften or loosen up and become less painful. Once you have soaked the toenail, put wax or cotton under the edge of the toe that is ingrown. This will help the toenail grow in the right way.
Use Petroleum Jelly
You can use petroleum jelly to help make the toenail more comfortable. Put their petroleum jelly in the affected area of the toe and then get some bandage to cover it. This will help to keep the skin supple and prevent it from rubbing too harshly against sensitive flesh. You can also use lotion if you don't have petroleum jelly handy.
When you are using this method make sure that you are selecting the right type of footwear. Try wearing sandals or soft shoes to help make your feet more comfortable.
Try Lemons
Another method you can try is using lemons. Cut a piece of lemon and apply it to the affected area a few times per day. The acidity from the lemon will help to ward off any infections and it also helps to soften the skin.
Get Relief
One of the things you should bear in mind is that if you decide to use any of these remedies, you need to use one of them at a time. Do not mix remedies or you may not get the best result.
If you notice that any of the remedies are making the situation worse and it is best to try to visit your doctor as quickly as possible. If the ingrown toenail is serious enough you may need to see a podiatrist who can assist you with more specialized care.