Do you think that ingrown nails just happen to your toes?
Are you also suffering from ingrown fingernails?
Ingrown fingernails are not much common as ingrown toenails, but this may happen. When they do, they could be painful and become infected.
You will learn in this blog about what to do for an ingrown fingernail and ingrown fingernail treatment.
What is an Ingrown Fingernail?
Our nails are made up of a protein known as keratin. The nails are formed when deep layers of keratin cells push towards the surface of your finger. The ridges of nails correspond to the skin ridges that are under your nails. These hold your nails in their position.
The ridges that hold your nails in their place lose their connection when the shape of the nail alters. This may cause the nail to grow towards the sides or corners of your skin. This is called an ingrown nail.
Causes of Ingrown Fingernail
There are several things which may cause this, like:
- Fungal infection
- Injury
- Too fast or too slow growth
- Bad trimming like leaving a nail spike on the edges
- Nail-biting
- Genetics
- Aggressive pedicures
- Tight shoes
Home Remedies for Ingrown Fingernail
You don’t need to visit a doctor during the initial stages and can treat it at home by following certain home remedies for ingrown fingernail:
- Using Cotton
Keep a bit of cotton under the edge of your nail after soaking to lift the nail away from the surface of the skin. By doing so again and again every day could be of great relief.
- Lukewarm Water
First of all, you must dip the affected finger in the lukewarm water for about 10-15 minutes twice a day. This therapy of warm water will reduce the swelling due to an ingrown fingernail. Ensure that you dry the finger after every dip because wetness could aggravate the problem.
- Vinegar Water
The best answer of how to get rid of an ingrown fingernail is here. If you have found your ingrown fingernail infected, then ensure you use vinegar for treating it. You may prepare the dilution by adding 4 parts of water with 1 part of vinegar and soak the infected area in the vinegar for 10-15 minutes. Now dry the finger completely after taking it out. To reduce the infection, repeat the process for 3-4 days.
- Tea tree oil
Tea tree is an essential oil that works wonders to treat an ingrown fingernail infected area. Such anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of tea tree oil make it a wonderful remedy against ingrown fingernail. For its dilution add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil into lukewarm water and soak the fingernail for 10-15 minutes twice a day. You may also take 4-5 drops of tea tree oil and mix it with a tablespoon of olive oil and massage the affected area as an ingrown fingernail treatment.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
H2O2 is a disinfectant the may efficiently heal an ingrown fingernail. For its dilution take 2 tablespoons of it with half a bucket of water. Dip the affected fingernail in this solution for 10-15 minutes. The ingrown fingernail treatment as the hydrogen peroxide treatment is one of the most effective ways since it makes the affected area soft and also assists to get rid of pain and infection. Ensure that your nails are dried properly after soaking.
Prevention of ingrown fingernail
The common cause of an ingrown fingernail is cutting the nails too short. For safe nail trimming, the following steps have been recommended by dermatologists:
- Soak the affected area first
Softer nails are much easier to trim. Take a shower or soak the nails in warm water for a few minutes before trimming.
- Make use of sharp and clean tools
Disinfect the nail clippers with rubbing alcohol at least once or twice every month. Don’t make use of clippers that are rustic and have become worn out.
- Make use of fingernail clippers for fingers
Don’t make use of toenail clippers on fingers, and vice versa.
- Round the edges in a gentle way
Make use of a clean nail file to round the edges of the ingrown fingernail. Try to move the file in a similar direction. Avoid making a back-and-forth sawing motion.
- Avoid cutting the cuticles
Cuticles act as a protective layer for nails. Trimming them enhances the risk of infection.
- Make use of hand cream
Making use of hand cream moisturizes the hands and nails and prevents them from drying and cracking.
- See a doctor for any nail changes
Nails that are different in colour, shape, or texture could point to other health issues.
TAKEAWAY
Ingrown fingernails are usually not serious, and a person can easily treat them at home. Certain home remedies are also quite beneficial during this time.
If such home remedies for ingrown fingernail doesn’t work after about a week of treatment, you must see a doctor. If you have a chronic condition, it could even take many weeks to heal completely.
