The slightly ingrown nail can be treated at home, trying to lift the corner of the nail and inserting a small piece of cotton or gauze, so that the nail stops growing inside the finger and ends up unclogging naturally.
However, when the area around the nail becomes very red, swollen and with pus, it can indicate that an infection already exists in the area and, therefore, it is very important that it is evaluated by a health professional, such as a nurse or podiatrist, which may even indicate the application of an antibiotic ointment to relieve symptoms.
How to Unlock a Nail at Home
To treat the slightly ingrown and inflamed nail, follow the step-by-step:
- Let the foot or the hand of the ingrown nail soak in warm or hot water for about 20 minutes;
- Try to lift the corner of the nail that is stuck with tweezers and place a piece of cotton or gauze between the nail and the skin to keep it elevated, changing daily;
- Apply an antiseptic solution such as povidone-iodine, for example, to prevent the region from becoming infected.
If the nail is very ingrown, inflamed or with pus and it is not possible to walk normally or try to loosen the nail from the skin, a nurse, a podiatrist or a dermatologist should be sought to clear the nail. Thus, the procedure can be done correctly and without the risk of worsening such as the entry of bacteria, for example.
What not to do
In the case of an ingrown nail, the part of the ingrown nail should not be cut, cut the nail in a “v” shape, or put on a tight dressing. These measures only worsen the ingrown nail and increase the risk of the ingrown nail again.
How to treat ingrown hair with pus
The nail ingrown with pus should always be evaluated by a professional, because, in these cases, it is usually necessary to use antibiotic ointments to fight the infection and allow healing to happen.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the doctor when any of the following situations exists:
- Ter diabetes;
- The nail is very ingrown, inflamed or with pus;
- The finger is very swollen or the circulation does not seem to be happening.
It is also indicated to seek professional help if there are injuries in the affected region or signs of poor blood circulation.
When surgery is indicated
Ingrown nail surgery is indicated in cases where nails are frequent and treatment with nail lift or cut does not work, especially if there is spongy meat in the area. In this case, surgery is performed under local anesthesia, and, in most cases, it is not necessary to remove the entire nail. Depending on the nail to be treated, the doctor may choose to apply an acid, such as silver nitrate, which destroys part of the nail that was stuck, for example.
How to prevent nails from getting stuck
To prevent ingrown nails, you should cut them straight, but avoid making the nail too short. In addition, it is also important to wear tight shoes and change socks daily, as this prevents the proliferation of microorganisms.