Nothing hurts quite like toenail pain.
If you are experiencing pain from an ingrown toenail, it is imperative that you seek medical help as soon as possible.
Far too often, people put off seeing their doctor when a problem like this arises. However, your doctor will ensure you receive the best treatment possible. Your doctor will also be able to provide some effective measures to handle toenail pain until the problem is fixed.
Unfortunately, the pain of an ingrown toenail is often the first sign that you have a problem. But, fast action and a few simple strategies to help manage the pain.
An ingrown toenail will not only cause toenail pain, but it may require antibiotics in order to get rid of the infection.
This is an important reason why you should make an appointment as soon as you suspect you have an ingrown toenail. Some signs that your toenail is infected include inflammation, redness or oozing. The method of treating an ingrown toenail or infection can vary depending on the severity of the problem.
What can cause an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails are often easy to prevent, especially if you know some of the leading causes. They include the following:
• Shoes that do not fit properly
• Not cutting the nail straight across
• Cutting toenails too short
• An injury to the toenail, such as stubbing your toe
• Repeated activities that aggravate the area
The First Step in Managing Toenail Pain
As with so many things in life, prevention is often the best medicine. Fortunately, even if you already have an ingrown toenail, there are things you can do to minimize the pain. Consider some of the following options to help relieve pain while you wait to see your doctor for proper treatment.
• Soak your foot in hot water with a little Epson salts. After soaking use a cotton swab to gently push the inflamed skin away from the area where the toenail has become ingrown. This can be painful when doing it, but it can also help provide pain relief in the long-term.
• Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief and to reduce swelling.
• Avoid shoes and socks that are tight.
• Place a piece of cotton ball or waxed dental floss between the nail and inflamed skin. This helps redirect the growth of the toenail and to relieve pressure on the sensitive skin surrounding the area.
• See your doctor. The best way to relieve toenail pain is to make sure that the problem is remedied as quickly as possible. Your doctor will be able to prescribe the best course of action and pain relief measures to ensure proper healing and comfort.
People put off seeing their doctor, even when they know they have an ingrown toenail. However, putting off a visit to the doctor can lead to the toenail becoming more ingrown and painful. Of course, this can result in an infection, which only exacerbates the problem.
The longer you leave the ingrown toenail without proper care, the more likely you will face the need for medical intervention.
