Do your toenails hurt or ache when you walk? Look closely at your toes to check if you have a tiny ingrown toenail sticking out of the nail bed. If you have got an ingrown toenail, then you can ditch your worries right now, thanks to a handful of home remedies for ingrown toenails.
The Institute of Preventive Foot Health reports that almost 18% of the population of the USA suffer from ingrown toenails. The problem of ingrown toenails is especially prevalent among men between 15 and 40 years.
Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies for ingrown toenails(1). It is readily available at local drug stores.
The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of apple cider vinegar work to reduce the pain, swelling, and inflammation of the affected toes. Rinsing the ingrown toenails with apple cider vinegar can prevent and cure the infection as well.
- Prepare a lukewarm bath of apple cider vinegar for your toes.
- Add a cup of raw apple cider vinegar to a bucket of warm water.
- Stir the water gently to prepare the solution.
- Soak your feet in the solution for about 30-35 minutes.
- Pat your feet dry with a soft towel and follow through with this home remedy twice or thrice daily for the natural treatment of the ingrown toenails.
- Two cups of apple cider vinegar every day can help get rid of the pain and make your toenails thrive.
[Read: Natural Cure for Ingrown Toenails]
2. Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt is one of the most effective home remedies for ingrown toenails pain. Bathing the feet in Epsom salt solution exfoliates the dead cells and makes the skin soft and supple.
The warm Epsom salt bath provides relief from the pain and infection of the ingrown toenails. It helps to loosen the toenail and helps to bring it out.
- To prepare the Epsom salt bath, fill a bucket with warm water, and add a cup of Epsom salt to it. Stir the water until the salt dissolves.
- Soak your toes in the Epsom salt bath for about 20 minutes and then pat your feet dry.
- Repeat this home remedy thrice a week to remove the ingrown toenails.
- A cup of Epsom salt a day is sufficient for the treatment of ingrown toenails.
- Scrub your feet gently to remove tan and dead cells while soaking the toes in the bath.
[Also Read: Epsom Salt to Treat Toenail Fungus]
3. Turmeric
Turmeric spice is the most readily available home remedies for ingrown toenails.
The application of turmeric to the ingrown toenails helps to reduce inflammation. It also aids in inhibiting the growth and spread of infection.
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a potent antioxidant, that can destroy free radicals and protect the ingrown toenails against oxidative stress.
- Take a tablespoon of powdered turmeric in a dish and add a teaspoon of mustard oil to it.
- Prepare a paste of the two ingredients.
- Apply the paste all over the ingrown toenails and spread it into a thick layer.
- Wrap the toenail with sterile gauze or bandage.
- Remove the gauze after half an hour and rinse off the paste.
- Follow this home remedy thrice a day for about a week to remove the ingrown toenail.
- Three tablespoons of turmeric powder are recommended for application to cure ingrown toenails.
[ Read: Stop Toenail Fungus Using These Natural Treatments ]
4. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel herb possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that work to alleviate the inflammation(2), pain, and swelling of the ingrown toenails.
The topical application of witch hazel extract helps in reducing the discomfort by softening the nail cuticles. It is one of the best herbal home remedies for ingrown toenails.
- Add a tablespoon of witch hazel herbal extract to a teaspoon of water.
- Make sure that the amount of witch hazel more than that of water.
- Stir gently to prepare a viscous solution.
- Smear your toenails with the solution and dip the ingrown toenails in it for about half an hour.
- Follow this home remedy daily before going to bed at night.
- A tablespoon of witch hazel extract per day is sufficient for the natural treatment of ingrown toenails.
5. Clove Oil
Clove oil is one of the most effective home remedies for ingrown toenails. It works to provide relief from pain, redness, and swelling of the affected toes.
The anti-inflammatory properties of clove oil work wonder on healing the inflammation of the ingrown toenails.
Clove oil possesses antibacterial compounds that prevent and cure the infection and accelerate the recovery process.
- Add 5-6 drops of clove oil to half a teaspoon of coconut oil (or any carrier oil) and mix well.
- Dip a cotton ball in the oil mixture and then dab the ingrown toenails with it.
- Apply the diluted clove oil to the ingrown toenails every couple of hours.
- Follow this home remedy every day for the natural treatment of ingrown toenails.
- 5-6 drops of clove essential oil are suitable for the preparation of this home remedy.
6. Tea Tree Oil
The topical application of tea tree essential oil is one of the most soothing home remedies for severe ingrown toenails.
The anti-inflammatory nature of tea tree essential oil helps to cure inflammation and infection of the nail bed and ingrown toenails.
Massage your toenails with diluted tea tree essential oil to reduce the pain and swelling, and heal the nail cuticle.
- Dilute the tea tree essential oil by adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to a few drops of it.
- Use cotton balls to apply the oil mixture to the ingrown toenails and wrap the affected area with sterile gauze. Follow this home remedy twice or thrice a day to remove the ingrown toenails.
- 5-6 drops of tea tree essential oil every day is enough to heal the inflammation and infection of the ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails are not only painful but ugly too. They stick out stubbornly and ruin the appearance of your pretty pedicured toenails. But here are a host of fantastic home remedies for ingrown toenails that you can administer to get rid of that stubborn toenail.
Follow the home remedies in combination with a balanced diet and daily exercise for healthy nails and good skin.
FAQs
1. How Can You Prevent Ingrown Toenails?
Follow these tips to prevent ingrown toenails:
- Maintain healthy hygiene and chip at your nails.
- Keep your nails trimmed and clip them with a nail-cutter in every couple of weeks.
- Go for a foot soak and pedicure session every week to prevent ingrown toenails.
2. Is Trimming Effective for Ingrown Toenails?
Trimming the toenails with a nail-cutter in every couple of weeks can help in the prevention of toenails.
3. How Are Lifestyle Changes Helpful in Treating Ingrown Toenails?
Here are a few lifestyle changes that are excellent for the treatment of ingrown toenails.
- Wear sneakers and boots instead of sandals where the toes stick out.
- Bathe your feet in lukewarm water every two days.
