Did you know that foot problems will affect approximately 75% of Americans throughout their lifetime? One of the most common foot problems that people have is flat feet, with nearly 60 million Americans, or 6% of the population, suffering from this ailment.
As common as flat feet are, there are a number of other foot issues that affect people that do not get the attention they deserve. Ingrown toenails are another issue that is not as well-known.
Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the skin on the side of your toe. Often times the problem goes away on its own, but it can also be extremely painful and cause an infection if left untreated. In the worst case scenarios this can require ingrown toenail surgery. If you think you need professional help with this problem, a local podiatrist can give you ingrown toenail relief. If you are having pain but your toe does not look infected, try these ingrown toenail remedies:
Soak Your Feet – One treatment for ingrown toenails is to soak them in warm water. This can bring down swelling and reduce redness. Try soaking for about 15 minutes a few times a day until your toe is back to normal.
Put Cotton Under the Nail – Another way to heal your damaged toe is to stick a little piece of cotton underneath the toenail. You can do this by ripping off a piece of a cotton ball and rolling it between your fingers until it is small enough to fit under your nail. This will force the nail to grow away from the skin.
Wear Open-Toe Shoes – Finally, it is a good idea to wear comfortable shoes while you have an ingrown toenail. If you are walking around in footwear that causes irritation to the affected nail, you may cause more pain, swelling and potentially an infection. Open-toe shoes are your best bet until your toe heals.
These are all things you can try if you are having pain from an ingrown toenail. If these remedies do not work, or you notice your toe getting worse, reach out to your local podiatrist for help.