General: Ingrown toenail is a common condition. The toenail (usually in the big toe) grows into the skin, causing irritation, swelling, redness, and sometimes infection. In most cases, this can be treated without surgery. Therefore, we explain the method of self-treatment. If this treatment fails, surgical treatment can be performed.
Organization and equipment needed: Antiseptic soap, liquid Polidin (not the cream), gauze pad (does not necessarily need to be sterile), sharp metal clipper (not a clipper for fingernails, wash with soap after each use).
Local treatment should be performed once a day. The key to success is perseverance for about two weeks:
- Wash hands thoroughly before treatment, with antiseptic soap (such as Septal Scrub).
- Soak the foot in antiseptic soap before treatment. Wash thoroughly (you can soak the foot for about 15 minutes) and clean between the toes and the surface of the toenail. Remove debris and anything sticking.
- Apply numbing cream (such as Emla or Prilocaine) and cover with an adhesive plastic for 20 minutes. This cream will numb the area and allow painless treatment.
- Prepare Polidin-gauze balls: pull several threads from the gauze, roll them into a ball with a diameter of about 3 mm, and moisten them with liquid Polidin.
- Clean the numbing cream from the toenail. Insert the ball between the skin and the toenail using a clipper. The ball should get stuck in the space created, so it won't come out. Wait for the Polidin to dry.
(If the problem is on both sides, insert balls on both sides of the toenail) - If the ball falls out: re-insert it.
- There's no need to bandage beyond that; it's essential to wear wide shoes or open sandals.
- Repeat the procedure every day! Remove the previous ball and insert a new one.
- Let the toenail grow and trim it slightly (so it won't protrude beyond the fingertip) and avoid rounding the corners (sides of the toenail).
- If the condition recurs, repeat the treatment; improvement will be rapid.
* This treatment is not a substitute for medical follow-up, and if there is redness, severe pain, discharge, or fever, it is essential to seek medical examination or treatment.