What to do about an ingrown toenail?

I went shopping today with high heels, the ones that cover up your toes. I was in the mall for about 4 hours browsing around. Alittle after my toes hurted like HELL! I went home and took off my shoes to see that on the side of my big toe is seems to be red on the sides and got some kind of swelling.


I poked it with a needle and some puss came out.


No doubt I have an ingrown toenail.





What can I do before its too late?


I saw some answers here to avoid pointy or high heeled shoes.


How does that help? The swelling is still there anyway.What to do about an ingrown toenail?
Soak your foot in hot salt water a couple of times per day for several days. This should help ease the inflammation a bit and soften the nail. Immediately after a soaking session, see if you can get in there and trim it out. It also helps to trim the nail somewhat straight across instead of closely following the curvature of your toe. I can't even tell you why, it just seems to help.What to do about an ingrown toenail?
Been there. Previous answer about cutting the nail straight across is good for maintenance but not for your condition. Had good luck with a product called ';Outgrow';. You can find it in a well stocked pharmacy or CVS. You dab it on the infected nail twice a day. Follow directions. It works. Avoid pointy shoes. Since I always cut across the nail and do not cut into the cuticle never a problem.
ouchies :O like the other guy said, it is a good idea to soak it to relieve the pain %26amp; help the toe heal. i know a little trick also that might help, my friend did it %26amp; i tried it too. it worked for me when i had an ingrown.


you'll need an orange stick/toothpick %26amp; a clean cotton ball.


take the orange stick or a toothpick %26amp; a teeny piece of cotton, no more than the tip of a cotton swab. and use the stick to tuck it under the nail at the site of the ingrown edge. it might hurt a little, but mostly you'll just feel pressure. do it before you go to bed %26amp; sleep with it in there.


in the morning pull it out, and i swear it feels much better! then put in a fresh one for the day. do it for a couple nights in a row, and it should help to keep the edge of the nail out of the nail bed.


then keep your nails trimmed straight across %26amp; not too short so it doesn't happen again. ingrowns are usually caused by the short edge digging into your toe. no bueno!


hope it gets better :)