Can I Treat My Ingrown Toenail at Home?
Jan 17, 2025
You may have heard stories, but you didn’t know how uncomfortable and painful an ingrown toenail can be until you developed one yourself. You get an ingrown toenail when the edge of a toenail starts growing into the surrounding skin. The problem is most common in the big toe.
A quick internet search will pull up a long list of home remedies for ingrown toenails. But before you attempt to handle the problem at home, you should know that improper care for an ingrown nail is associated with a higher risk of infection and complication.
That’s why it’s always better to leave it to the experts — and our podiatry team at South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, in San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas, are here to help. We’ve seen it all when it comes to ingrown toenails, and we know how to correct the problem.
Trimming your nails incorrectly is one of the most common causes of ingrown toenails. When you cut your nails too short, or when you round off the edges, the nail can more easily grow into the surrounding skin.
Wearing tight shoes can also put pressure on your toes, forcing the nail into the skin. Even stubbing your toe or repeated toenail trauma (i.e., from running or playing soccer) can change how your nail grows and lead to an ingrown toenail.
For some people, genetics also play a role. If your toenails naturally curve downward or if your nail beds are tiny, you might be more prone to developing ingrown nails no matter how careful you are.
For mild cases, it can be helpful to simply soak your foot in warm water, which can soften the nail and soothe the surrounding skin. Switching to shoes with a wider toe box can take pressure off your problematic nail, while keeping the area clean and applying an antibiotic cream may help prevent infection.
However, these solutions are only temporary and don’t address the main problem, which is that the nail has grown into the skin. Many people try to lift the nail themselves or trim it back, a risky action that can lead to accidental cuts, further injury, or infection.
In severe cases, delaying professional care may significantly worsen your symptoms.
If your ingrown toenail doesn’t improve after a couple of days of at-home care, or if you notice signs of infection, it’s time to see a professional. At South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, our team has the expertise and tools to treat ingrown toenails safely, quickly, and effectively.
Unlike self-care strategies, expert care methods tackle the ingrown nail and not just the symptoms it’s triggering, like pain and swelling, with a level of precision and cleanliness that simply isn’t possible at home.
Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment might involve gently lifting the edge of the nail and placing a small splint or piece of cotton underneath it to help guide normal growth.
For more severe cases, a portion of the nail may need to be removed to relieve pressure and prevent further complications. Sometimes, the nail bed itself may be treated with a chemical solution to prevent the ingrown portion from growing back.
Leaving an ingrown toenail untreated or relying on ineffective home remedies can have serious consequences. Infection is one of the most significant risks, especially if the area becomes swollen, warm to the touch, or starts to drain pus.
If you have an underlying health condition such as diabetes or poor circulation, these infections can quickly become severe, potentially leading to ulcers or other complications. In fact, if you do have diabetes or poor lower extremity circulation, you should seek expert care for an ingrown toenail as soon as you notice it.
Even if you’re healthy, ingrown toenails that aren’t adequately treated can become a recurring problem. Repeated trauma to the nail or surrounding skin can result in chronic inflammation, scarring, or deformities. That’s why it’s so important to address the issue early and correctly.
While home remedies can temporarily ease ingrown toenail discomfort, seeing a specialist is always the best choice. So before you grab the nail clippers or start looking for solutions online, schedule an appointment for expert care at South Texas Foot Surgeons, PA, today.