Ingrown toenails are quite common as far as foot-related problems go, but they can be very painful. If you're currently dealing with this situation, consider these care tips. They'll help you find relief so you can go about your day like normal again.
Soak in Warm Water
Just because one of your toenails has grown under the skin incorrectly, doesn't mean you have to spend a bunch of money on treatments. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to just soak your ingrown toenail in some warm water.
It may not provide a long-term solution to your pain, but it can help you get through intense sensations until you find a more effective treatment. Just soak the affected toe in warm water for several minutes. Repeat this a couple of times a day and consider throwing in some Epsom salts. They can help relieve swelling and pain.
Wear Specialized Footwear
While having an ingrown toenail, the normal shoes you wear can aggravate your pain. Thus, it's a good idea to switch up your footwear so that you're not in pain all throughout the day. There are actually special shoes you can purchase for ingrown toenails.
They have a wide base to prevent your other toes from rubbing against the affected toenail. These shoes may be more expensive than traditional footwear, but the premium cost is worth the pain relief that you'll find when walking and running.
Work With a Podiatrist
If nothing seems to be alleviating pain from the ingrown toenail, it may be finally time to seek help from a podiatrist. This foot doctor may need to perform surgery so that you find relief fast and the results last for the foreseeable future.
Surgery typically involves the foot specialist making an incision to where they can remove the portion of the toenail that has grown incorrectly. The surgery will be painless too since your toe will be treated with anesthetics. With a podiatrist's help, you find can long-term pain relief and thus don't have to worry about having other areas of your life impacted for long.
Ingrown toenails can be a nuisance to deal with, especially if you've left this problem alone for quite a while. The best thing you can do is utilize at-home remedies and even consider working with a podiatrist. Having a calculated approach to this all-too-common problem will help you deal with the pain in an effective manner.
To learn more, contact a local podiatrist today.
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