20 Best Ways to Heal Infected Ingrown Toenail Naturally

Infected ingrown toenail occurs when the growth of the edges of your nails damage the skin and cause irritation and swelling. This condition is more likely to occur when your nails are bending and thick. The symptoms of infected ingrown toenail includes redness, swelling, and pain. Although it is not dangerous, there are chances this condition will occur again. The one with diabetes and blood vessels disorders will have higher risk to get more serious infection.

Read also: 18 ways on How to Make Discoloured Nails White naturally

Below are some things that cause toenail to grow abnormally and hurt the skin next to the nail.

Cutting toenails too short and uneven.
Stubbing toe.
Cleaning the toenail less carefully.
Wearing tight socks or small shoes.
Taking less care of toenail hygiene.

Below are 20 Best Ways to Heal Infected Ingrown Toenail that will help you.

1. Soak it in warm water

The first thing to do when you catch an infected ingrown toenail is soaking it in warm water. Before you treat the toenail with medicines, it’s better to soak it in warm water to reduce pain and swelling. You need a bowl of warm water and add some salt.

2. Cotton wedge

After a warm water soak, you can place a cotton wedge under your affected toenail. It helps the toenail grow above the skin. This will also reduce pain and optimize the healing treatment.

3. Dental floss

The next best way to heal infected ingrown toenail is by shifting the toenail. You can use dental floss to this. Placing the floss underneath the edge of the ingrown nail can help to shift the nail and let it grow in the normal direction, rather than down into the skin.

4. Antibiotic cream

One easiest way to treat infected ingrown toenail is using over-the-counter antibiotic cream. Antibiotic will heal the infection and prevent it to get worse.

5. Ginger

Ginger is one of the herbal remedies that work well to heal infected ingrown toenail. Mix some crushed gingers with coconut oil and then roast it within few minutes. Apply the mixture onto the infected ingrown toenail and cover it with bandage.

6. Apple cider vinegar

We’ve heard a lot how apple cider vinegar has worked well for healing some skin conditions. Having antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving abilities, no wonder if apple cider vinegar can treat infected ingrown toenail. All you need is a basin of warm water and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak the affected foot within 20 minutes and then dry it out.

7. Neem leaves

Neem has anti-inflammatory and pain-suppressing properties that can fight pain, inflammation and swelling due to an infected ingrown toenail. Within 4 cups of water, boil a handful of neem leaves and then strain it. Allow it to cool down a bit and soak the affected toe in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this treatment twice daily.

8. Turmeric

Combine a half teaspoon of turmeric powder with a little amount of mustard oil\ to make a paste. Apply the paste over the affected area and cover it up with a bandage. Repeat the process at least twice a day and change the bandage with a clean one each time.

9. White flower oil

White flower oil is one of traditional healing oil that works well for treating an infected ingrown toenail. To use white flower oil for healing, soak a cotton ball in white flower oil and then gently rub it around the affected area. Make sure you’re not applying it directly to your ingrown toenail since it may be poisoning.

10. Oregano oil

Oregano is a common spice used in many foods that also makes a high-quality essential oil. You can add a teaspoon of oregano essential oil to a small tub of warm water and then soak the feet for 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can dilute a drop of oregano essential oil with a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil and then place it directly onto the affected area.

11. Tea tree oil

The antiseptic nature of tea tree oil can help relieve pain and reduce the risk of infection due to an ingrown toenail. Mix 1 or 2 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of your favorite carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil. Apply it on the affected area and then cover it with a bandage. Repeat this three times a day until it gets better.

12. Aloe vera gel

To heal infected ingrown toenail using aloe vera gel, you’ll need to mix it with coconut oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, oregano oil and lavender oil. Apply the mixture across the affected area and allow it to air dry by going barefoot or wearing open-toed shoes or sandals.

13. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective disinfectant. It helps reduce the risk of infection and relieve pain. Soak the affected toenail in a solution of ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a small tube. Do this for treatment 20 minutes once or twice daily.

14. Lavender oil

Mix few drops of lavender oil with any carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil. Apply it gently to the affcted area and leave it covered with bandage.

15 Pacar Kuku leaves

Mix some crushed pacar kuku leaves with lime juice and brown sugar. Apply it to the affected toe and cover it with bandage. Wait until 4 hours and repeat the treatment.

16. Beluntas

Apply some crushed beluntas leaves into the affected area and cover it with bandage. Change the bandage twice daily.

17. Tempuh wiyang leaves

Crush some tempuh woyang leaves with some white sugar. Apply it to the affected toe and cover it with bandage, switching every 3 hours.

18. Epsom salt

To use epsom salt for infected ingrown toenail, mix a tablespoon of epsom salt and warm water in a large bowl. Soak the affected foot in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes. This is the best way to heal infected ingrown toenail naturally.

19. Onion

Mix some crushed onion with coconut oil and apply it o the affected area. Cover it with bandage and repeat 3 times daily.

20. Garlic

Crush some garlic and mix it with turmeric. Apply it to the affected toe and cover it with bandage.

Health Tips to Prevent the Infected Ingrown Toenail

Those are 20 Best Ways to Heal Infected Ingrown Toenail that you can try. These are few healthy tips you need to know to prevent the infected ingrown toenail.

Do not wear socks and shoes for too long. This will increase the humidity and allow the ingrown toenail to catch infection.
Always keep your feet dry.
Trim your nails straight across regularly to prevent such problems.
Take care of your foot hygiene by washing your feet regularly and drying them thoroughly.
Always wear comfortable and fitting footwear.
Scrub your feet with a pumice stone regularly to prevent the formation of hard skin.
Wear socks made of cotton only and change them daily.