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Ingrown Toenail Pain – How to Relieve & Ease Pain at Home

Ingrown toenail pain can be unbearable. Here is how to stop and relieve ingrown nails pain using simple home remedies and treatments that you can do at home by yourself.

If you have ever had to deal with an ingrown toenail, then you know how painful it can get. As a matter of fact, intense, pulsating pain is among the first signs of ingrown toenail infection. This article will explain not only how to go about relieving pain due to ingrown toenail but also treat it away; it is kind of like killing two birds with one stone.

  • What to do for ingrown toenail pain.
    Dr.-Scholl’s-Ingrown-Toenail-Pain-Reliever
    Dr.-Scholl’s-Ingrown-Toenail-Pain-Reliever

Ingrown Toenail Surgery Pain

Ingrown toenail Surgery is often required to treat ingrown toenails and this involves either a partial or a full nail avulsion.

Partial nail avulsion involves the removal of a portion of the toenail under local anesthesia after which a chemical known as phenol is injected to deter the regrowth of the nail. Full nail aversion on the other hand involves getting rid of the whole nail and is typically used for thickening toenails.

The question that commonly arises is, “is toenail surgery painful?” The answer is a frank “Yes”. As with any surgical procedure, the procedures involve some pain. And how much is ingrown toenail surgery pain? Well, that depends on the surgical approach chosen between.

The degree of pain also varies from one person to another, but it is very likely that the surgeon or podiatrist (a medical practitioner who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions) will prescribe some analgesics after the surgery to control the pain.

How to Stop Ingrown Toenail Pain

In addition to redness, tenderness and swelling of the skin surrounding the affected toenail, pain is one of the most common ingrown toenail symptoms and if you are suffering from this common nail condition, it might delight you – in fact I can bet it will delight you 🙂 – to learn how to stop ingrown toenail pain.

So, without further ado, this treatment plan will help to not only relieve you of the pain associated with the ingrown toenail but also to make it heal naturally:

  • Immerse the afflicted toenail into a basin of warm, soapy water and leave it submerged inside for 10-20 minutes. Soaking the toenail helps to soften the skin around it.
  • Next, apply some olive oil all around the toenail if you like but this is not absolutely necessary
  • With a fresh cotton bud, push the fold of skin next to the affected area away from the toenail gently starting at the base of the nail all the way to its edges
  • Raise the edges of the toenail away from the underlying skin by wedging a small ball of cotton wool or a dental floss neatly below it. make sure to change the wedge as frequent as possible, preferably not less than 3 times daily, to prevent infection
  • Soak the toenail and follow the subsequent steps 2 to 3 times daily until the toenail gets well

Most cases of ingrown toenail will show improvement in less than 3 days. If it takes longer than that, you may want to see a doctor or podiatrist immediately to rule out the possibility of having an infection. In case of infection, oral and/or topical antibiotics are often prescribed.

There are also cases of severe ingrown toenails that simply won’t go away without surgery. Your doctor will advise you accordingly.

Wearing open shoes and sandals as the toenail heals can also help to relieve it of pressure and stop unnecessary pain.

How to Relieve Ingrown Toenail Pain – The Pain Relievers Option

A talk on “How to relieve Ingrown Toenail pain” is hardly complete without a mention of painkillers and I can bet you saw it coming 🙂

So, while you undergo the home treatment option discussed in a previous section of this guide, you may consider taking over-the-counter painkillers to relieve you of the pain. Acetaminophen (or Tylenol), paracetamol, and ibuprofen (or Motrin) are all good examples.

Aspirin is however only recommended for persons aged above 16 years since it has been shown to cause Reye’s condition in children. Although rare this medical condition is often fatal.

As with any medication however you should follow the instructions provided carefully. And of course don’t forget to store all medications – painkillers included – away from the reach of your kids. You never know when the inquisitive part of them can get them into high gear.

Ingrown Toenail Removal Pain

Should you expect any ingrown toenail removal pain? Well, that depends on the treatment option chosen. Both partial and full nail avulsion procedures involve some degree of post-surgery pain which often kicks in as soon as the anesthesia has worn off. It is however very likely that you will go home with some analgesics to control the pain as the toenail recovers from surgery.

Put-Cotton-Wool-Beneath-to-relieve-ingrown-toenail-pain
Put-Cotton-Wool-Beneath-to-relieve-ingrown-toenail-pain

In addition to pain, you may expect some degree of bruising during the first 2 days.

Although carbon dioxide laser treatment involves relatively less post-operative surgery, it is typically more expensive and involves the risks of various complications notable among them being the regrowth of ingrown toenail in abnormal directions which can lead to even more intensive pain as The American Academy of Family Physicians notes.

Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenail Pain

Finally there are the home remedies fanatics amongst us and these are the people who would rather try using some home ingredients to ease pain and other symptoms before looking for medical intervention – like me 🙂

If you will agree with me, the warm, soapy water treatment explained in a previous section of this guide qualifies to be listed among home remedies for ingrown toenail pain.

In addition, you will want to avoid putting any pressure on the affected toenail by putting on an appropriate pair of shoes. Open toed shoes and sandals are ideal choices.

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