[.:Shortcake:.]

I have an ingrown toe nail and it hurts! I've been putting ointment on it and hoping it would fix itself but it's not and now my big toe is twice it's normal size. Anyone know of any home remedies before I suck up my pride and call the mean old doctor

[joanna26]

Boo Those are no fun. DH has recurring issues. Have you tried cutting it out yourself? That is going to be your only real fix. To reduce the swelling and infection, try soaking in epsom salts and applying Neosporin to any open wound that you can see. But if that doesn't work you will probably have to have it worked on by a doctor.

[BabyLover]

Ouch! Sounds painful. I hope you can get it healed up soon.

[.:Shortcake:.]

I actually get them often and can usually get them out myself but this one is terrible and so deep. I've been soaking it for 3 days and "digging" in it but I can't seem to find it.

[BabyLover]

In that case maybe you need to go in? You wouldn't want it to get infected badly. What causes you to get them so often? I've never gotten one, and I guess I don't even really know what causes them.

[Cait&AngelAbove]

I am so sorry! It sounds awful!

[joanna26]

Originally Posted by .:Shortcake:.

I actually get them often and can usually get them out myself but this one is terrible and so deep. I've been soaking it for 3 days and "digging" in it but I can't seem to find it.

That is frustrating!! DH has had a couple like that and when he finally had the doctor "work on" them it was pretty clear that he would never have been able to fix them on his own. HUGS sweetie

[Shadeauxe]

My husband used to have recurrng in-grown toenails, so they cut off some part of his toe near the toenail (sounds worse than it is) and now he doesn't get them anymore.

[K.A.T]

Soak it in water with vinegar, that might help. But DD had that we ended having to have that portion of the cut out, it got infected badly.

[StaceygirlPa]

Ouch. They hurt. I get them on and off.

[pepper73]

You don't want to risk a bad infection. Definitely go in to the doctor!! I hope you heal up soon!! It sounds awful!

[Trish36]

Lurking - Katie don't wait too long. My mom waited and waited and it got so bad that she had an infection and had to be put on antibiotics and then the dr. had to do major surgery on her toe. She couldn't walk for 2 weeks after that. Don't let it come to that! Not worth it!!!!

[martilynne]

ugh! ingrown toenails suck! I lost one of my toenails after getting my toe stepped on and I had problems with ingrown toenails forever. I have finally gotten it under control.

[tobi4]

Ive been struggling as well, and what seems to be working is pulling up the sides of the nail and stuffing some cotton under to try to retrain the nail. It takes a long time, but it does provide relief fairly quickly. I use a bit of first aid tape to hold the cotton in place. I just pulloff the ends of a qtip! When you cut your toe nails be sure to cut straight across, if you curve them they will end up ingrown. Sad lesson for me, and it was caused by going to cheap pedicure places who shape the nail improperly. Booooo

[Belita]

Ouch! I have those, too. My dad has always been really good at getting them out because he doesn't care how much we scream, he just kept digging. It sounds like you may need to see a doctor. The cotton ball trick along with cutting the toenail straight across and not cutting it too short will help keep it from returning.

[.:Shortcake:.]

I'm pretty sure I got it ladies. I just cut the side of my toe and dug for about an hour. I put antibiotic cream on it now and I'm going to see how it goes. I already have some relief so I'm hoping I did.