What should i soak my infected toe in

If you spot an ingrown toenail, act fast to prevent an infection. Use these tips to treat an ingrown toenail, and head to a podiatrist at the first sign of infection. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Foot Health. Reviewed: April 13, Medically Reviewed. Voltaren is diclofenac and it can also help ease the pain in your toes.

Both of these drugs are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and all of them can cause stomach and bowel upset. Applying an antibiotic ointment or cream is one of those ingrown toenail remedies that help reduce the risk of infection.

It can also promote healing of your infected toe. Do not ignore an ingrown nail if it is already showing signs of infection. Not taking immediate action could lead to serious complications. Take action NOW! Contact Adelaide Foot and Ankle for an appointment. You must be logged in to post a comment. Skip to content. Semaphore : 08 Prospect : 08 Facebook page opens in new window Twitter page opens in new window Instagram page opens in new window YouTube page opens in new window.

Aug 27 Contents hide. Warm, Soapy Water Soak. Apple Cider Vinegar Soak. Epsom Salt Soak. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in clinical quality improvement and efficient healthcare delivery. Which should I choose? Authors Topics. Facebook Twitter. If you prefer to listen to this article, click on the SoundCloud player below. What causes an infected toenail? The most common causes of an ingrown toenails include: Cutting your toenail too short or too long Toenail injury Curved toenails genetic predisposition Improper footwear too tight or narrow that puts pressure on your big toes Cutting your toenail improperly you should cut it straight across without angling the sides of the nail Certain sports and activities like dance, soccer, and skiing Poor foot hygiene not keeping your feet clean and dry Infections on your toes may be common if you have diabetes or similar conditions that cause poor circulation or a weakened immune system.

Toenail infection symptoms An infected toenail comes with pretty specific symptoms. They include: Pain with pressure on your toe The skin next to your nail being swollen, tender, or hard Redness Bleeding Skin that grows over part of your toenail A blister filled with pus you may not notice a blister, but have large amounts of drainage coming from your toe Yellow toenails that are thick or cracked, suggesting a fungal infection in your toenails At-home treatment options for ingrown toenails You can do several things at home to treat an ingrown or infected toenail to help relieve pain and pressure: Soak your toe in a warm foot bath with unscented Epsom salt.

Cutting your toenail too short or rounding the edge of the nail can cause it to grow into the skin. Wearing shoes or socks that don't fit well can also cause an ingrown toenail. If your shoes are too tight, they might press the nail into the toe and cause it to grow into the skin. You can get an ingrown toenail if you hurt your toe, such as stubbing it. This can cause the nail to grow inward. Repeating an activity that injuries the nail, such as kicking a soccer ball, can also cause an ingrown nail.

The main symptom of an ingrown toenail is the pain from the nail growing into the skin instead of over it. If the ingrown toenail gets infected, it might be swollen or red, and it might drain pus. The area around the ingrown toenail is often painful. Your doctor will do a physical exam to diagnose an ingrown toenail. He or she will look at your toe where the nail has grown into the skin.

You can try the following steps at home to relieve the pain caused by your ingrown toenail and help the nail to grow out naturally:. Use these home treatment steps for 3 days. If they do not help, you might need to see your doctor. Be sure to see a doctor if your toe gets infected. Your toe might be infected if it hurts more than it did before you tried the home treatment.

Call your doctor if your toe is red, warm, swollen, or drains pus, or if there are red streaks leading from your toe. Your doctor might give you antibiotics. If your toenail is very ingrown, your doctor might suggest minor surgery to remove all or part of the ingrown nail. He or she may refer you to a podiatrist.

During this surgery, the doctor will numb your toe. Then he or she will cut the edge of the ingrown toenail and pull out the piece of nail.

To prevent the nail from growing into the skin again, your doctor might destroy all or part of the nail root. This is called ablation.