How to Treat an Ingrown Fingernail
Ingrown fingernails can be a painful and frustrating experience. Knowing how to treat them effectively can offer relief and prevent further complications. This article provides you with methods for addressing ingrown fingernails, ensuring that your hands remain healthy and comfortable.
Before delving into treatment options, however, it’s essential to understand what causes ingrown fingernails.
Additionally, it is important to recognize when an ingrown fingernail requires professional medical attention or when it can be handled at home.
Signs of an Ingrown Fingernail
An ingrown fingernail occurs when the edge of your nail grows into the surrounding skin, which can lead to discomfort or pain. Here are some telltale signs that you have an ingrown fingernail:
Redness
When you have an ingrown fingernail, one of the noticeable symptoms is redness around the affected area. This redness is a result of the body’s natural inflammatory response to the ingrown nail.
It’s caused by increased blood flow to the site in an attempt to heal the perceived injury or infection, making the skin appear red and irritated.
Swelling and Inflammation
Swelling is another common symptom of ingrown fingernails. As your body tries to defend itself against the ingrown nail, it sends fluids to the area, causing the surrounding skin to puff up.
This swelling can make your finger feel tender and may even lead to discomfort while performing everyday tasks.
Severe Pain
One of the most distressing symptoms of ingrown fingernails is the intense pain it can cause. When the nail grows into the surrounding skin, it can exert pressure on nerves and tissues, leading to severe discomfort.
Even simple activities like typing or grasping objects can become excruciating when you have an ingrown fingernail.
Prompt treatment is crucial to alleviate this pain.
Home Remedies for Ingrown Fingernails
When faced with an ingrown fingernail, home remedies can be a valuable resource. They offer you simple and readily available solutions to alleviate the pain and promote healing.
Soak it in Warm Water
Soaking your affected finger in warm water is a helpful home remedy for ingrown fingernails. The warm water softens the skin and nails, making it easier to gently lift the ingrown edge with a clean, sanitized tool.
This reduces pain, redness, and swelling while providing relief and promoting proper nail growth.
Apply a Warm Compress
Prepare a warm compress using a clean cloth soaked in warm water. Apply it to your ingrown fingernail for 10 minutes, three to four times per day.
Ensure your finger stays dry between these sessions.
Lift the Nail
Following the soaking of the affected nail, use a sterilized tool to lift the edge of the ingrown nail and insert clean cotton, gauze, or dental floss underneath to establish some space or gap between the skin and the nail.
This will help create a barrier and prevent further growth into the skin.
Apply Tea Tree Oil
In some cases, applying a diluted tea tree oil solution can help reduce the effects of the ingrown nail. Its antifungal properties may help with healing.
Always remember to wash your hands before and after treating your ingrown fingernail to prevent infection. If your symptoms worsen or don’t improve after a few days, consult a healthcare professional.
Try Salt Baths
Epsom salt baths serve as a beneficial home remedy for ingrown fingernails, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. By dissolving Epsom salt in warm water and soaking your finger in the solution, you can effectively alleviate swelling and discomfort.
It also aids in preventing infection, making it a soothing and therapeutic option.
Pain Relievers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are over-the-counter medications that alleviate pain and reduce inflammation from pressure or infection caused by an ingrown nail. These medications inhibit enzymes that cause swelling and discomfort, offering symptomatic relief.
Applying a small amount of antibacterial ointment may also prevent infection.
Complications If It’s Left Untreated
If you leave an ingrown fingernail untreated, it can lead to a range of complications and prolonged discomfort.
Infection
If you neglect to treat an ingrown fingernail, you expose yourself to an increased risk of infection. The ingrown nail creates an injury through a break in the skin, as well as an entry point for bacteria to surround the skin and nail bed.
As a result, you may develop a painful and potentially serious infection characterized by symptoms like pus, worsening redness, and increased swelling.
This infection can spread if not treated promptly, leading to further complications.
Formation of Abscess
Ignoring an ingrown fingernail can lead to the development of abscesses. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms beneath the skin, often near the ingrown nail, resulting from the body’s effort to send white blood cells to the area to combat the infection.
These abscesses can cause extreme pain, tenderness, and swelling. Without proper drainage or treatment, they may persist and require more invasive medical procedures.
Nail Deformities
Neglected ingrown fingernails can result in nail deformities and difficulty in nail growth. As the nail continues to grow irregularly, it may alter the shape and appearance of the affected fingernail. In severe cases, the nail may thicken, curve, or become permanently damaged.
This can lead to ongoing problems and discomfort, creating a cycle of ingrown nails unless properly addressed.
Medical Treatments for Ingrown Fingernails
When you have an ingrown fingernail, you might need medical treatment. Your doctor or dermatologist can provide options for you after an assessment. Medical treatments may include the following:
Antibiotic Ointment
If you have a mild ingrown nail, your doctor might recommend applying an antibiotic ointment.
Applying over-the-counter antibacterial ointments can help prevent infection by keeping the area clean and free from harmful bacteria. Regular application can reduce the risk of complications while soothing the ingrown fingernail.
Partial Nail Plate Removal (Partial Nail Avulsion)
A healthcare provider may perform a partial nail plate removal by carefully trimming or excising the ingrown portion of the nail. This is often done under local anesthesia to minimize pain.
After the procedure, the nail may be narrower, and this can help prevent future ingrowth.
Total Nail Plate Removal (Total Nail Avulsion)
In some cases, the entire nail may need to be removed temporarily to treat severe or recurrent ingrown nails.
This is usually done when other treatments have failed. The nail typically grows back normally over time.
Nail Bed Surgery
Matricectomy involves surgically removing the nail matrix, commonly known as the nail bed, which is the tissue responsible for nail growth. The procedure may be done on one or both sides of the affected nail.
This is a more permanent solution to prevent ingrown nails but can result in a narrower or deformed nail.
Preventing Growth of Ingrown Fingernails
Preventing ingrown fingernails is not only essential for avoiding discomfort and pain but also for maintaining the health and appearance of your nails. By implementing practical and straightforward measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of ingrown fingernails.
Regularly Trim Your Nails
Regular nail trimming is a fundamental preventive measure. When you keep your nails properly trimmed and avoid leaving sharp or uneven edges, you reduce the risk of nail overgrowth and subsequent ingrowth.
This practice ensures that your nails maintain a healthy and manageable length, minimizing the chances of them growing into the surrounding skin.
Wash Your Hands
Keeping your hands clean is essential in preventing ingrown fingernails. Regular hand washing helps eliminate dirt and bacteria that can contribute to nail infections, making it less likely for your nails to become ingrown.
Maintaining good hand hygiene also ensures the overall health of your nails and the surrounding skin.
Moisturize Your Nails and Surrounding Skin
Moisturizing your nails and the skin around them is a preventive measure that helps maintain nail flexibility and softness. Dry and brittle nails are more prone to becoming ingrown.
By applying moisturizers or nail-specific creams, you can keep your nails supple and less likely to dig into the adjacent skin, reducing the risk of ingrowth.
Use of Protective Gloves
When engaging in activities that might damage your nails or cuticles, like gardening, cleaning, or dishes, make sure to don protective gloves. These serve as a shield, reducing the risks of developing an ingrown fingernail through trauma or infection.
Gloves also prevent drying out of the skin around the nails because prolonged exposure to water and harsh chemicals can lead to brittle nails and weakened cuticles, which are more susceptible to becoming ingrown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of an ingrown fingernail?
An ingrown fingernail can cause redness, swelling, inflammation, and severe pain. Redness occurs due to the body’s natural inflammatory response.
Swelling and inflammation result from the body’s attempt to defend against the ingrown nail. Severe pain occurs when the nail exerts pressure on nerves and tissues.
What can happen if I leave an ingrown fingernail untreated?
Neglecting an ingrown fingernail can lead to various complications, including infection, the formation of abscesses, nail deformities, and difficulty in nail growth.
Timely treatment is crucial to avoid these potential issues.
What are some home remedies for ingrown fingernails?
Home remedies include soaking the affected finger in warm water, applying warm compresses, lifting the nail edge with a sterilized tool, and using cotton or dental floss to create a barrier.
Additionally, you can also try applying diluted tea tree oil and taking Epsom salt baths. These remedies can help alleviate pain and promote healing.
What medical treatments are available for ingrown fingernails?
Medical treatments may include applying antibiotic ointment, partial or total nail plate removal, and matricectomy.
These procedures are performed by healthcare professionals to treat ingrown nails, prevent infection, and address the issue effectively.
When should I seek professional medical attention for an ingrown fingernail?
It is important to consult a healthcare professional when you experience severe pain, notice signs of infection (pus, worsening redness, increased swelling), or if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve after trying home remedies.
A healthcare provider can determine the appropriate treatment for your specific situation.
