How to Treat Ingrown Toenails With Home Remedies - Ingrown Toe Nail

Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Wedge of lemon
1 tablespoon Epsom salt
2 gallons warm water
Hydrogen peroxide or iodine
Gauze or breathable band aid

Release the Nail from its Embedded Skin

Step 1
Place a little wedge of lemon against the toe and secure it with a band aid or gauze bandage. Pull on a sock to better secure the lemon wedge.

Step 2
Leave the wedge on your toe overnight. This will help to soften the skin so as to release the nail.

Step 3
Lift the embedded nail gently the next morning. Roll us some cotton into a cigar-shape and insert this between the nail and the skin. Change this everyday until the nail is healed.

Use Epsom Salts and Mild Antiseptic
Step 1
Pour the warm water into a basin and dissolve the Epsom salts in it. Soak your affected foot for 15 to 30 minutes in the warm, salty water. Do this at least two to three times a day.

Step 2
Pat the toe dry and keep it as dry as possible all day. Apply some hydrogen peroxide to the ingrown toenail and the surrounding skin. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic, well suited for minor infections. You can substitute it with iodine instead.

Step 3
Cover the toe with gauze or a bandage to keep bacteria from spreading and thus minimize the risk of further infection.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Step 1
Avoid high-heeled shoes, if you must wear shoes, in favor of low heeled shoes with wider, roomier tips. Wear white socks only. The dye in colored socks and other hosiery may run and come into contact with the wound, causing further complications.

Step 2
Trim your nails correctly. Cut your toe nails across rather than curved. You may file the sharp edges if necessary. Do not cut the nail shorter than the toe, but rather flush with the tip of your toe. This prevents your toe from growing into the skin as your body weight applies pressure on your foot.

Step 3
Go barefoot, as much as possible, rather than wear shoes or socks. This allows a free flow of air, which will help to keep bacteria from growing further. Bacteria increases rapidly in a damp and warm environment, thus wearing closed shoe on the affected toe is not recommended.