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Post by 2peafaithful on May 29, 2016 12:47:40 GMT
I have never had an ingrown toenail. I got my toes painted about a week ago and went to a nail salon I had been to once. They looked fine but I can see the shape/corners might have been a contributing factor to this starting. Nothing that was alarming or different until the redness and pain started.
It has been hurting about 4 days. I have looked online and tried a few things. I have soaked it with epson salt, tried to lift it to relieve the pressure, I tried to put a small amount of a cotton swab under it to aid it keeping the side lifted. I put some antibiotic ointment there. It has only been in open air shoes so I think that helps.
My mom said I should trim it. I thought I read that trimming it can make it worse. Is there anything that really helps this that I can do at home? Holiday weekend, it really hurts and the whole toe is red. TIA Heck I don't even know if I had to go to a doctor would I go to my PCP for this? I don't have a foot doctor. TIA
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Post by Merge on May 29, 2016 13:02:43 GMT
I have one on my left big toe where the nail just wants to grow past the nail bed on one side. Its not curled around on itself like a traditional ingrown toenail. I just trim back the part that grows too far (sorry, makes it sound like I have a mutant toenail but it's just a tiny piece). As long as I trim back that little corner, it's fine.
As far as I know there's nothing you can do other than lift back or trim the part that is sticking into your skin. And as it sounds like you're starting an infection, I'd do it quickly, and put some antibiotic on it.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 29, 2016 13:12:20 GMT
It sounds more like you picked up an infection at the nail salon than an ingrown toe nail (based on the pain starting just 3 days after having your pedicure). I'd start with my general doctor, I doubt you need a podiatrist.
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Post by quinmm14 on May 29, 2016 13:14:16 GMT
I read Vicks salve (sp) would work, I tried it and mine got better. I just used a qtip and put it on the affected area. But I was also soaking it, so i can't say it 100% worked.
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Post by jennrs on May 29, 2016 13:21:10 GMT
My DD went in to DR for one a couple of years ago and all they did was give her an antibiotic ointment and told her to soak it twice a day in Epsom salt. There is an otc ointment for ingrown toenails that she used also.
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Post by paperaddictedpea on May 29, 2016 13:24:23 GMT
I agree with Darcy that it sounds more like an infection. I'd keep soaking and applying antibiotic ointment, and if it doesn't start to improve within a couple of days see your GP.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,107
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on May 29, 2016 13:24:33 GMT
Hydrogen peroxide
Pull back the skin a bit and pour some in and let it sit and bubble.
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Post by mrsscrapdiva on May 29, 2016 13:27:49 GMT
If it is an ingrown toenail, we use peroxide to clean it out and then Neosporin and keep it clean. I find that putting a pain relieving cream with lidocaine is very helpful. They used to make an liquid called Outgrow for ingrown toenails but I am not sure if they sell it anymore. We had some Aspercreme with lidocaine for sore muscles and I just used that. It sort of dulls the pain because really you just need it to stay uninfected and to grow out. I would say do not trim it at all.
After you soak it in warm water with or without the Epsom salts, use a wooden manicure stick to push back the skin and expose the nail more. Also watch what type of footwear you are wearing so it doesn't rub against it.
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Post by monklady123 on May 29, 2016 13:30:10 GMT
Salt water, for hours. My mother always tells the story of a really bad ingrown toenail she had when she was younger. It was a blazing hot day and a bunch of them walked to the beach, and stayed in the water for hours. When she got home the toenail was almost cured.
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Post by gryroagain on May 29, 2016 14:05:38 GMT
Soaking and lifting really does work. It takes time for the nail to grow out so plan to do it twice daily for a long time. once it has grown out, cut it flat across to avoid it happening again.
That said, DD had one that after years of treating it just became unmanageable. The dr put something on it that cause it to stop growing, that part of the nail, and cut the side away from the bottom. Her big toenail is smaller now due to that but the problem stopped completely! The other toenail has been managed with soaking and lifting. It is caused by how her feet and toes are shaped and wearing pointe shoes- unless she stops pointe it will always occur (along with a specific type of corn between her toes). Diligence to catch it when forming, cushy ing as much as she can, wearing no or open toed shoes when she can, has helped a lot.
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Post by 2peafaithful on May 29, 2016 14:46:26 GMT
Thank you for your responses. Sounds like I better get soaking some more. Who has time for that!?!? I will try the peroxide too. Desperate for some relief. Thanks again.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 29, 2016 14:52:20 GMT
It sounds more like you picked up an infection at the nail salon than an ingrown toe nail (based on the pain starting just 3 days after having your pedicure). I'd start with my general doctor, I doubt you need a podiatrist. This was my first thought too. I'd take care of that right away. Call your doc, & hopefully she/he will see you and prescribe antibiotics if needed. Feel better. |
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Post by boatymcboatface on May 29, 2016 14:54:07 GMT
I am prone to getting ingrown toenails and they're miserable. I find that the more I mess without the more inflamed it can get so I don't recommend lifting pushing separating any of that just soak peroxide ointment be gentle with it. You might have a nail spicule that has to come out far enough for you to pluck out and then it will heal up fine.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on May 29, 2016 14:58:18 GMT
Friendly warning: Do not search "ingrown toenail" on YouTube. faints
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Post by Zee on May 29, 2016 15:02:46 GMT
Soaking and lifting really does work. It takes time for the nail to grow out so plan to do it twice daily for a long time. once it has grown out, cut it flat across to avoid it happening again. That said, DD had one that after years of treating it just became unmanageable. The dr put something on it that cause it to stop growing, that part of the nail, and cut the side away from the bottom. Her big toenail is smaller now due to that but the problem stopped completely! The other toenail has been managed with soaking and lifting. It is caused by how her feet and toes are shaped and wearing pointe shoes- unless she stops pointe it will always occur (along with a specific type of corn between her toes). Diligence to catch it when forming, cushy ing as much as she can, wearing no or open toed shoes when she can, has helped a lot. May I ask why you don't get the other toe done, so there's no more soaking and lifting? DS had to have one toe done a couple years ago. The other toe started giving him trouble and we just back to the podiatrist and had the same procedure done. Now he'll never have trouble again! |
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Post by gar on May 29, 2016 15:27:43 GMT
Having your nails trimmed doesn't instantly cause an I grown toenail. I second that it may be an infection so I would get that checked out. Ingrown toenails develop gradually over time.
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on May 29, 2016 16:11:05 GMT
Friendly warning: Do not search "ingrown toenail" on YouTube. faintsLOL I was going to say the same thing! I made that mistake last week to try and find some relief for my ingrown toe nail! Geez those videos were worse then the zit popping, boil lancing videos haha! |
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Post by christine58 on May 29, 2016 16:41:20 GMT
You need to go to your doctor. Sounds like an infection. Don't mess with it.
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Post by anniefb on May 29, 2016 17:54:37 GMT
Having your nails trimmed doesn't instantly cause an I grown toenail. I second that it may be an infection so I would get that checked out. Ingrown toenails develop gradually over time. Yeah that's what I understand too. I'd go and see if you need some antibiotics. |
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Post by krcrafts on May 29, 2016 18:46:24 GMT
Cut a small "v" shaped notch in the middle of your toenail. That way it will grow back together and relieve it from the sides. It takes a few days, but it really does work. My dr suggested it many years ago.
And it does sound like you might have an infection, so you should probably get it checked by a doctor.
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Post by cmpeter on May 29, 2016 19:56:53 GMT
I also agree that it sounds more like an infection than an ingrown toenail.
But, if it is an ingrown toenail, I agree with the suggestion to cut a v shaped not in the middle of the toenail to help aleve the pressure and lots of soaking and neosporin.
Sorry you are in pain!
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Post by Delta Dawn on May 29, 2016 19:57:16 GMT
DS had to have surgery to fix his. Then he needed surgery to fix the other one, too.
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Post by gar on May 29, 2016 20:23:18 GMT
I will add that nothing worked for me except having the ingrowing side of the nail cut out under local anaesthetic and a having something applied that prevented regrowth. I'd had Vs cut, cut it myself, packed I myself even had tiny elastic bands applied to hooks glued to my nail to supposedly draw it out. I've been pain free for about 5 years now!
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Post by kelbel827 on May 30, 2016 15:05:50 GMT
Soak and gently pull back. You might be able to get some of the infection out
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2016 19:20:03 GMT
My DS struggled with an ingrown toenail for the longest time. It took several visits, over time, to his doctor and then a podiatrist to make it stop. Twice the podiatrist did the in-office procedure with the local anesthetic. When it came back a third time, he had to have a laser procedure done out-patient and put under. It's finally fixed.
Both his podiatrist and the pediatrician said to soak in warm water with a few drops of Dawn blue dish detergent. I don't remember what the reasoning was with using Dawn, but that's what we did, even after his surgery.
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Post by boatymcboatface on May 30, 2016 20:20:02 GMT
Something else that occurs to me is that is this is your first ingrown toenail ever you may not need the phenol procedure or to have it cut out by a podiatrist. If the cause is improper trimming at the salon you may be able to avoid the procedure if you are patient obviously you go if signs of spreading infection are present but you may be able to heal it with self care it is only necessary to have the margin removed and phenolized if you have a recurrent issue can't be solved otherwise. Now I only have my pedicure gal file the nail to shape not clip it and there is no problem. I have not had an ingrown toenail in 8 years after having several prior to that.
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Post by ntsf on May 30, 2016 21:38:50 GMT
no peroxide!!! it kills healthy cells. it needs to stay away from any wound.
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Post by StacyinUT on May 31, 2016 13:58:45 GMT
I get ingrown nails. Just find a podiatrist.
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Post by mommaho on May 31, 2016 14:28:23 GMT
Hydrogen peroxide Pull back the skin a bit and pour some in and let it sit and bubble. This will work wonders, but just an FYI - if you are diabetic my DH's dr. has told him not to use peroxide as it can mask the infection and it might be deeper than what you see.
I have had ingrown on both my big toes and have an excellent podiatrist, much easier and shortens the healing time!
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Post by mcscrapper on Jun 1, 2016 16:31:01 GMT
I get the beginnings of ingrown toenails after I work 2 12-hour shifts in a row. I've decided I get them because socks are often tight on my feet and so are one pair of shoes I wear occasionally. I just figured this out and I've been wearing my sandals for the past week and it really does seem to help.
Mine never get fully ingrown so I just snip them at the side and pull out the ingrown part with a clean tweezer. Soaking in epsom salts does help too. If you notice your toe getting inflamed and angry looking, go to your GP. You may be getting infected.
good luck!
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