Q: I have an ingrown toenail that has become quite painful. Can I treat it myself, or do I need to see a doctor?
A: You can treat most ingrown toenails at home. Here’s how:
• Soak your feet in warm water. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes three to four times a day. Soaking reduces swelling and relieves tenderness.
• Place cotton or dental floss under your toenail. After each soaking, put fresh bits of cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown edge. This will help the nail grow above the skin edge.
•Apply antibiotic cream. Put antibiotic ointment on the tender area and bandage the toe.
• Choose sensible footwear. Consider wearing open-toed shoes or sandals until your toe feels better.
• Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help ease the toe pain.
If home remedies don’t help, your doctor may recommend using topical or oral antibiotics, especially if the toe is infected or at risk of becoming infected. She may also perform a procedure in the office to either lift the nail away from the skin or to partially remove the nail.
—Source: Mayo Clinic
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, April 2016
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