How To Treat an Ingrown Fingernail?
The mere mention of ingrown fingernail can make you uncomfortable. Though this problem is mostly of the toes, fingernails also tend to become ingrown. The problem with fingernails is less common as one does not need to squeeze the fingers into an ill-fitting shoe. Moreover, the shape of the fingernails is different from that of toes and thus chances of having ingrown fingernails are quite rare. But they do happen and have quite high chances of becoming infected as well. Working with the hands like washing dishes, clothes and even typing can become pretty difficult and painful.
What is actually an ingrown fingernail?
Keratin is the main protein, which actually makes up the nails and skin in our body. When keratinized cells deposit in sense layers and push to the surface of the finger, nails are formed. Ridges on the nails actually correspond to the skin ridges, which are under the nails. These ridges help in holding the nails in place on the fingers. With changing shape of the nails, the ridges which actually connect the nail to the skin might end up losing the connection. As a result, the nails tend to grow to the sides and the corners of the skin. This is what is called an ingrown nail. Apart from being a normal thing, there are some factors, which might contribute to the problem of ingrown fingernail. Some of these are as follows:
- Fungal infections
- Injury of some kind on the nail
- Improper trimming where a nail spike might be left on the end of the nail
- Nail growth which is too slow or too rapid
- Bad habit of nail biting
If the extent of the infection on the fingernail is quite grave, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention before things get more serious. You might also need surgical intervention depending on the condition of the problem. However, if you locate the problem right in the beginning, you might be able to handle the situation on your own with some easy remedies, which you can try at home.
Ideas for treating the problem of ingrown fingernails
There are some simple ideas which you can try for getting relief from the problem of ingrown fingernails. Read on to know about the ideas in details:
1. Dipping in lukewarm water helps
This is probably the simplest and the easiest of ideas for getting rid of the problem of ingrown fingernails. It is recommended to take some lukewarm water and dip the affected finger in the same for minimum 15-20 minutes. This must be done at least twice a day for the best results. This remedy or therapy helps in alleviating the swelling and the pain in the finger to quite an extent. Just be careful that you must wipe your whole hand including the finger dry after each dip in the lukewarm water. If your finger remains wet, there are high chances that the infection will aggravate.
2. Epsom Salt Soak
Epsom salt has innumerable benefits in the bathroom. If you have had a tough and rough day working outside, a soak in the tub with Epsom salts works wonders. Along with this, Epsom salt is also very effective in removing rough and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin of elbows and knees. You can make a homemade salt scrub using Epsom salt and use for scrubbing. Just like these, Epsom salt has shown great benefits for an ingrown fingernail as well. When the sore finger is dipped in water containing Epsom salt, the pain and inflammation subsides to quite an extent, just like the sore muscles get relief by taking a dip in the tub with Epsom salts in it (1). The dipping of the sore finger in Epsom salts should be done for minimum 15-20 minutes per day and twice daily. You will see that after a point of time, the nail will come off on its own. You must keep on repeating the process till that time.
3. Vinegar water is useful
When you want a home remedy for ingrown fingernails, you cannot go wrong with vinegar water for the same. This is all the more effective when the ingrown fingernail has become infected. For the remedy, you need to take 1 part vinegar and add the same to 4 parts of water. These are to be mixed well. The infected nail should be soaked in the vinegar solution for minimum 15-20 minutes. Make sure that you have a clean and dry cloth handy. Wipe your hand and your fingers well in the cloth so that it is completely dry. Keep on repeating the process continuously for minimum 2-3 days until you understand that the infection has reduced.
4. Lemon can be highly beneficial
There are innumerable health benefits, which are offered by lemons. Sadly, this natural and common ingredient is often ignored by the common folk. Extremely simple but tasty drink can be made from lemons. Along with this, lemon has also proved to be highly beneficial and effective for ingrown fingernails (2). Interestingly, you don’t have to do much for the same as well. Take a lemon and cut it into halves. Now rub the lemon on the finger with the problem of ingrown fingernail. Doing this will help in bringing the fingernail up (3). Apart from this remedy, many people cut slices of lemon and wrap the same around the affected nail with a bandage or a cloth. It is left like that overnight. The remedy actually works well.
If you have a cut or bruise on your finger, applying the lemon directly might be quite a painful thing. In such a situation try making a warm water soak with lemon juice added to the same. The effects are equally same on the ingrown fingernail.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
You will note that whenever you do a search for natural remedies for some kind of health issue or ailment, apple cider vinegar will have its mention in majority of the cases. The ingredient is a powerhouse of wellness and health and hence is a favorite in natural remedies. Similar to Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar also works towards reducing inflammation. Not only this, the natural ingredient also helps in combating any kind of bacterial infection from taking place or reducing the extent of infection (4). For availing this treatment, take some lukewarm water in a bowl or a small basin so that you can easily and comfortably dip your fingers in the same. Now add many teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in the water and mix them well. Soak the fingers in the warm water for minimum 10-15 minutes. The whole process should be repeated thrice a day before you see considerable improvement in the infection on the ingrown fingernail.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Essential oils come with innumerable health benefits and medicinal properties and tea tree oil is no exception to that. Abounding in healing properties, tea tree oil also comes with antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil will work excellently on the inflammation. This essential oil works excellently on all kinds of infections. There are different ways in which tea tree oil can be used for treating the problem of ingrown fingernails. Take a bowl of lukewarm water and add few drops of tea tree oil into the same. Now soak the fingernail into the bowl for at least 15-20 minutes. The process should be repeated twice or thrice in the day for quick and best results. The infected finger can also be massaged with a mixture of 4 drops tea tree oil and 1 tablespoon olive oil. You can also use a cotton swab for applying the oil directly on the affected area only if you don’t have very sensitive skin as this essential oil is quite strong.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide
An excellent disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide helps in effective healing of ingrown fingernails. With this ingredient, the skin around the affected area becomes soft and the pain and infection is also minimized to a great extent. Take some warm water and add some hydrogen peroxide to the same. Mix them well and now soak the affected fingernails in the solution. Keep in the solution for some time and then wipe the fingers completely dry. You can also apply hydrogen peroxide on the affected finger directly if you look for quick results (6, 7).
These home remedies for ingrown fingernails are completely safe and free from side effects.