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Ingrown toenail can be painful. Let's figure this out.

Pharmacist

The goal is to stop the toenails from growing into the skin, reduce the pain and prevent any infection.

This will assume you are not looking at an infected toenail. If it is infected, must see a podiatrist or your primary care physician.

Take a look at the suggestions below.

Lady cutting toenail


Soak

Soak with warm, soapy water or in Epsom salt to soften and reduce inflammation.

 

Pain Relief

1. Benzocaine 20%

Temporary numbs the affected area.
Example: Outgrow

2. Sodium Sulfide 1%

Temporarily relieve the pain.
Example: Dr.Sholl's

 

Antibiotic Ointment

Apply triple antibiotic ointment to the affected area to prevent any infection.

Remember, if it is infected, you must see a physician. Do not attempt self-care

 

Hydrocortisone 1%

Apply hydrocortisone 1% cream or ointment if the affected area is swollen.

Do not use for more than 7 days. If no improvement after 7 days, seek doctor office visit.

 

Worth Doing

1. Insert cotton wisps or dental floss under the nail plate edge.
The goal is to keep the nail plate out of the wound and allow it to heal.

2. Gutter splint
Leave this to podiatrists, dermatologists or other healthcare providers.

 

Last updated by pharmacist on : 03/26/2018

 

 

 

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
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Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

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