An infected ingrown toenail can be identified by changes in skin color and temperature, swelling, and pus. Home remedies can make the problem worse, so it’s best to see a doctor for safe removal and antiseptic treatment. Wearing comfortable shoes, keeping feet clean, and cutting toenails straight can prevent future ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails can be very painful, so it’s sometimes hard to tell if the lesion is infected based on the pain alone. Usually, however, you can tell if an ingrown toenail is infected simply by visually examining the toe. There are several warning signs of infection that will likely be present, including changes in the color and temperature of the skin around the affected area, swelling, and pus.
Changes in skin color and temperature that can occur when an ingrown toenail is infected include redness and a warm feeling surrounding the affected area. The most obvious sign that an ingrown toenail has become infected is often the presence of pus, either around the affected area or draining from the wound. This is a sure sign that an infection is present, because the body only produces pus when fighting an infection. The swelling usually occurs to accommodate pus and other fluids present with the infection. The tip can swell enough to cover a large portion of the nail, often making access to the ingrown area much more difficult.
Many people try to fix ingrown toenails at home, not realizing the extent of the damage inflicted by digging into the infected area using non-sterile equipment like tweezers or nail clippers. Typically, home remedies for infected ingrown toenails, such as cutting the nail shorter or attempting to pluck the nail, usually make the problem worse. It’s okay, however, to soak the tip in clean, warm water to soften the skin and apply an antibiotic ointment to the tip until you can go to the doctor. If the ingrown toenail is infected, a doctor can safely remove the ingrown part of the toenail and apply antiseptic treatments to the wound to help get rid of the infection.
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting shoes and socks that don’t put pressure on your toes. Also, it’s important to keep your feet clean to prevent the infection from getting worse. Mild, over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to keep the pain tolerable while walking and completing daily activities until a doctor can fix the ingrown toenail. It is usually recommended to cut your toenails straight to prevent future ingrown toenails and to avoid cutting the toenail too deeply on either side of the nail. Avoiding trauma that could injure the nail is important for healing current ingrown toenails and preventing future ones.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
