Ouch My Toenail Hurts!

 

Let's talk about ingrown toenails.

Can you say.....  OUCH!

Yes, if you have ever had an ingrown toenail you know where I'm coming from as they can be very painful. 

If you have never had an ingrown toenail consider yourself very lucky.

First let's talk about a couple of things most of us are guilty of that could help in preventing an ingrown toenail in the first place.

• Correctly file your nails. Your nails should be filed straight across the top, even with the end of your toe and slightly rounded at the corners. Try to never file them below the skin.

• Those cute shoes, Yep! No matter how cute those shoes are with that outfit.  Try not wearing shoes that squeeze your toes.  ;0)

• Accidents do happen, so try and wear closed toe shoes when you are lifting heavy items that could end up dropped on your toe. 

Before I tell you my home remedy that I use to help my ingrown toenail from hurting.

This remedy does not cure an ingrown toenail. But it may give you some relief and keep the nail from cutting into the skin.

If you have open skin or your toe is infected you should not use home remedies and you should pay a visit to your doctor. Especially if you are diabetic.

I read an article and have had clients tell me about placing a cotton ball soaked with alcohol underneath the nail. 
While this may work for many I found something that worked just a little better.

My little home remedy that I have used for my own ingrown toenail for years. 

So here is what I do. The minute I feel my toenail starting to hurt.

• Trim the nail as stated above, straight across just to the end of the toe and rounded at the corners.
•  Make sure the toenail is very clean.
• Put a little bit of hydrogen peroxide on it for a few minutes.
• Rinse and dry.
• Take a really, really, small piece of cotton and and roll it up in Vicks Salve, Tuck it under the toe on the side of the nail. The cotton ball should be about the size of two ends of a pencil.
• Change it daily.

Why do I like the Vicks better than alcohol you ask?
Well for me, my skin is very dry and the alcohol is even more drying and we know when our skin is dry it tends to crack easier. We are trying to avoid that, right?

So the Vicks helps keep the skin moist and so there is a little less chance of that ingrown toenail making a cut in the skin.
I also think the Vicks is very soothing to the skin.

My hope is you don't ever get an ingrown toenail. 
But if you do, I hope this may give you a little relief and help prevent that nail from cutting into your skin. :0)

Do you have any ingrown toenails hacks you would like to share here with us?