How to Relieve Ingrown Toenail Pain

Ingrown toenails can cause some of the worst pain possible in your feet. They can cause throbbing, intense agony, swelling, and even the development of pus.

While you’re waiting to have your ingrown toenail treated at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle in Mission Viejo, California, you can temporarily relieve the pain with home care measures. Find out from podiatrists Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, and Amber O’Connor, DPM, what you can do to relieve ingrown toenail pain.

Causes of ingrown toenail pain

You get an ingrown toenail when your toenail accidentally grows into the skin next to it. This causes localized pain around that area of the toe, which can worsen when you put weight or pressure on the area.

Ingrown toenails can also swell up and become red, causing further discomfort. If your ingrown toenail becomes infected, you can also experience increased localized pain and systemic symptoms like fever.

Treating ingrown toenail pain

You can care for your ingrown toenail at home until you get the problem treated. You can ease localized pain and make going about your day more bearable by taking the following measures:

Taking over-the-counter medication

If you’re experiencing pain and swelling, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, reduce swelling and lower pain levels. Acetaminophen, or Tylenol®, also decreases pain and can lower your temperature if you’ve developed a fever from an infection.

Soaking the toenail

Soaking your toe for 10-20 minutes in warm, soapy water helps it feel better and can also lower swelling. You can add Epsom salt to the water and massage the area carefully during the soak for additional relief.

Make sure you completely dry and cover your toe after soaking it.

Wearing comfortable footwear

Keeping your ingrown toenail covered with clean, comfortable socks and shoes that fit properly helps with comfort and prevents further injury or infection. Ensure your shoes have enough space to wiggle your toes in the toe area.

You can also buy protectors and braces that help prevent further injury by padding or holding your toe in place. For best results, choose a device that fits your toe correctly and follow the instructions for correct use.

Applying ointment

Petrolatum jelly and antibiotic ointment help soothe the pain in your toe and prevent further infection. The best time to apply ointment is after soaking or cleaning your foot.

Getting prompt treatment

Pain relief is a good temporary solution until your ingrown toenail heals, but it does not treat the toenail itself. Make an appointment with our team for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.

Our team examines your toenail and considers the following to determine treatment:

The severity of the ingrown toenail
History of ingrown toenails
Whether the toenail is infected
Whether you also have diabetes or another chronic condition

Our team can remove the ingrown toenail in the office using the best procedure for your situation, including laser therapy, which prevents chronic ingrown toenails from recurring. We also prescribe antibiotics and pain medication for infected ingrown toenails.

With a combination of home remedies and fast treatment, your ingrown toenail can feel better and go away quickly. Contact us if you need help with your ingrown toenail.