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Ingrown nails can be treated naturally through home remedies

Most home remedies which you can use for the natural treatment of ingrown nails are easy and relatively painless. But if you leave a simple nail infection untreated, then this can lead to further complications or infection. Watery discharge tinged with blood, drainage of pus, and redness and swelling around the nail are signs of infection. This condition should not be treated at home if you suffer from nerve damage in your foot or leg, poor blood circulation to your foot, or diabetes.

Onychocryptosis is another term for an ingrown nail. This is a very common problem. When the side edge or corner of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of your nearby skin, then this causes a lot of discomfort. This condition is most common in toenails, but also there are some rare cases in which fingernails can become ingrown. Having unusually curved toenails, a nail injury, improper trimming of nails, and wearing tight-fitting shoes are the most common causes of ingrown toenails. People who suffer from diabetes or other health problems which cause poor blood circulation to their feet have an increased risk of developing this painful nail problem.

Persistent swelling, redness, and pain are some symptoms of ingrown nails. It is very easy to treat this condition at home, but if you have noticed some signs of infection, then you need to talk with your doctor.

12 Home remedies for ingrown nails

Turmeric

If you have ingrown nails, then you can use turmeric as your natural treatment. It can help you to rid of inflammation, pain, and swelling [1]. It has a compound known as curcumin which has pain–relieving, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

You should make a paste of a small amount of mustard oil and ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder. You should smear this paste all over the affected toe. Then, you should cover it with a bandage. You should repeat two or three times per day over a period of several days. Also, you can apply antibiotic cream, which has curcumin on the tender area, and you should bandage the toe. You should reapply this ingrown nails natural treatment two or three times per day. Also, you can boil one teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of milk. You should drink it two times per day to speed up the healing process and reduce the pain.

White flower oil

This is traditional Chinese healing oil, and this oil does not actually obtain from a white flower, but it is made from an assortment of several herbal oils such as peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus oil. When you apply a few drops of this natural cure on ingrown nails, then this can help your ingrown toenail to go away.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties which can reduce the risk of infection due to ingrown nails [2]. You should put one or two drops of tea tree oil in one tablespoon of any carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil. You should apply this home remedy on the ingrown toenail, and you should cover it with a bandage. You should do this natural treatment 3 times per day until you are satisfied with the results. Along with tea tree oil, oregano or lavender essential oil can also be used.

If you have noticed that irritation occurs after applying any essential oil, then you should stop using it.

Hydrogen peroxide

This ingrown nail natural cure is an effective disinfectant that helps to reduce the risk of infection and also it can give you relief from pain and inflammation that are caused by an ingrown toenail [3]. In a small tub of warm water, you should mix approximately ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide. You should soak the affected toenail in this natural cure for twenty minutes. You should do this natural treatment once or twice per day.

Sensible footwear

When you suffer from an ingrown nail, then you should wear open-toed shoes or sandals to provide the affected toe extra room, and this will allow it to breathe and heal very quickly. One of the main causes of an ingrown toenail is wearing tight and poorly fitting footwear. This is a reason why you should wear sensible footwear.

Indian lilac

Neem or Indian Lilac is also a very effective home remedy for ingrown nails because it has pain–suppressing and inflammation–reducing properties that can alleviate swelling, inflammation, and pain due to an ingrown toenail [4].

Also, it can reduce the risk of infection, and it can promote healing in four cups of water. Strain it. Allow it to cool down a bit. You should soak the affected toe in this natural treatment for ten to fifteen minutes. You should be sure that you have dried the area thoroughly. You should repeat this natural treatment two times per day.

Also, before you go to bed, you can apply neem oil on the affected area, and you should let it stay there throughout the night. You should do this natural treatment once per day.

Natural cures for ingrown nails

Epsom salt

The scientific name of Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. This is a very effective home remedy for treating ingrown toenails. This natural treatment will soften the skin around the affected area which makes it easy to draw out the ingrown nail. Also, this natural cure will help you to bring down the inflammation.

In a foot tub filled with warm water, you should add one tablespoon of Epsom salt. You should soak your feet in this natural cure for twenty minutes. You should remove your feet from the water. You should dry your feet thoroughly. You should repeat this ingrown nails natural treatment three or four times per week.

Apple cider vinegar

This is also a very helpful home remedy for ingrown nails. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which can give you relief from the symptoms. Also, it is mildly acidic in nature, which will prevent infection.

In a small foot tub, you should mix equal amounts of warm water and unfiltered apple cider vinegar. You should soak the affected toenail in this natural cure for twenty to thirty minutes. When done, then you should dry your toenail thoroughly. Also, there is another option that you can use as your natural treatment, and that is to soak a cotton ball in raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar, and you should place this cotton ball on the affected area. You should cover it with a bandage for a couple of hours, and then you should remove it.

You should follow some of the mentioned natural remedies two or three times per day until you are satisfied with the results.

Cotton wedge under the nail

After a warm water soak, you can place a cotton wedge under your affected toenail because this will help your ingrown nails to grow above the skin. This will give you relief from the pain, and also it will speed up the healing process. You should soak your feet in warm water. Then, you should dry them thoroughly. You should carefully lift the affected toenail with a blunt pair of tweezers. You should place a small rolled piece of cotton between your skin and nail. You should replace the cotton every time you soak your feet because, in this way, you will prevent the infection. Initially, you can feel some pain, but you should know that it will lessen quickly. You should avoid pushing the cotton roll farther than the swollen skin allows.

Trim your nails properly

You shouldn’t curve your toenails. When you are trimming your toenails, then you should get in the habit of cutting them straight across. If you think that the corners seem too sharp, then you can file them down a bit. We know that when we stand up, then the weight of your body places pressure on your feet. This pressure pushes up the skin in front of your toenail. If you cut your nail too short, then it can dig into the skin as it grows. You should always trim a nail, so it is flush with the front end of your toe.

Warm water soak

When you suffer from ingrown toenails, then warm water soaking a few times per day can help you to deal in relieving the pain, tenderness, and swelling which are caused by this problem. You should fill a small foot tub with warm water. You should soak your feet in it for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should do this ingrown nails natural treatment three to four times per day to get relief.

Lemon

You should cut a thin slice of lemon. With the help of a gauze or bandage, tie it to your toe. You should let it stay there for the whole night. Lemon has acidity, which will help you in curing the ingrown nail infection [5].

References

[1] Patrick K, Stanbrook MB. Take turmeric with a grain of salt. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2018;190(43):E1270.

[2] Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006;19(1):50-62.

[3] Rios-Castillo AG, Gonzales-Rivas F, Rodriguez-Jerez JJ. Bactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide‐based disinfectants against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria on stainless steel surfaces. Journal of Food Science. 2017;82(10):2351-56.

[4] Schumacher M, Cerella C, Reuter S, et al. Anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative effects of a methanolic neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract are mediated via modulation of the nuclear factor-κB pathway. Genes & Nutrition. 2011;6(2):149-160.

[5] Oikeh EI, Omoregie ES, Oviasogie FE, Oriakhi K. Phytochemical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of different citrus juice concentrates. Food Science & Nutrition. 2016;4(1):103-109.

Vijila
Vijila
Dr. Emil Sarsath (aka) Vijila, a licensed naturopathic doctor (BSMS) who always ensures his patients receive compassionate, and individualized care. He has extensive experience in primary care, digestive health, mental health, nervous system disorder and more.Area of Expertise – Naturopathic Medicine, Whole Foods-based Nutrition, Siddha, Panchakarma.She is always available through [email protected]

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