Ingrown toenails can be painful and annoying, but with the right steps, you can treat them at home and get some relief. Here’s a simple yet effective method to help ease the pain and fix that ingrown toenail.
Step 1: Soak the Foot
Start by soaking your foot to soften the tissue around the ingrown nail. This will make it easier to work with and less painful. Here’s the recipe:
- 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 32 ounces of warm water
Mix these ingredients in a large bowl or basin and soak your foot for 15-20 minutes. The Epsom salt will help reduce inflammation, and the apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties to reduce the risk of infection.
Step 2: Pry Up the Edge of the Nail
After the soak, gently dry your foot. Now it’s time to carefully lift the edge of the nail to relieve pressure on the surrounding skin.
- Tools Needed: A small chisel tool or cuticle tool (sanitized) and some gauze.
- Technique: Gently pry up the edge of the nail with your tool. Be careful not to push too hard or hurt the skin around the nail.
- Insert Gauze: Take a small piece of gauze and carefully slide it between the nail and the skin. This helps the nail grow out and away from the skin, preventing it from digging back in.
Step 3: Apply a Healing Mix
Now that the nail is lifted, it’s time to apply a soothing and protective layer to the affected area.
- Mix Fix: Combine Vicks VapoRub with Polysporin. This combination soothes pain and provides antibiotic protection.
- Apply and Cover: Coat the edge of the nail with this mixture and cover it with a bandage to keep everything in place.
Step 4: Keep It Protected
Wear open-toed shoes when possible, and avoid putting pressure on the toe until the ingrown nail heals. You may need to repeat this process daily until the nail grows out properly and stops irritating the skin.
With this simple routine, you can relieve discomfort and help that ingrown nail heal quickly. Your “Bigfoot” will be feeling better in no time!
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