Do you suffer from painful, ingrown toe nails? If so, you are not alone. This is a common condition that can lead to infection and other complications if not treated properly.
To understand the causes of ingrown toe nails, it helps to know a bit about how the nail grows. The nail is made up of cells that grow outward from the base of the nail bed on your toe. As they grow, they push against the sides of your toe and can curve inward if there isn’t enough space for them to move outward. This causes pressure and pain as well as possible infection at the site if bacteria enter through any cuts or scrapes in that area.
There are several ways to treat an ingrown toe nail:
1 Soaking your foot in warm water with Epsom salt several times a day can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with an ingrown toe nail;
2 You may need to have your doctor clip away some of the curved part of the nail or remove it completely;
3 Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if an infection has occurred;
4 Applying antibiotic cream directly onto affected area will help reduce pain and encourage healing;
5 You should avoid wearing tight shoes or socks which might put pressure on your toes;
6 Wearing open-toed shoes will give your toes more room to breathe and allow air circulation around them which can promote healing.
