how to cut ingrown toenail

To cut an ingrown toenail safely, especially if it is only slightly ingrown and not infected, follow these expert steps:

1. Prepare your tools and foot:
   • Disinfect nail clippers, tweezers, and cuticle sticks with rubbing alcohol and let them dry.
   • Soak your foot in warm water for 20-30 minutes to soften the nail and skin; adding Epsom salt or a disinfectant can help.
   • Dry your foot thoroughly and gently massage the area to improve blood flow

2. Cutting the toenail:
   • Cut the toenail straight across; do not round or point the edges.
   • Leave about 1-2 mm of the white nail edge; avoid cutting the nail too short.
   • Use precision toenail clippers if possible to make a clean cut

3. Addressing the ingrown edge:
   • Gently lift the edge of the toenail and slide a small piece of cotton or gauze underneath to encourage the nail to grow away from the skin.
   • If a corner of the nail is visibly digging into the skin, carefully trim that corner with nail clippers or nail scissors.
   • Clean the area thoroughly with a disinfectant such as tea tree oil or rubbing alcohol after cutting

4. Aftercare:
   • Wear open-toed shoes or shoes with a wide toe box to avoid pressure on the toenail while it heals.
   • Monitor the nail’s growth and replace the cotton or gauze as needed.
   • Avoid digging into or forcibly removing the nail, as this can worsen the condition or cause infection

Important cautions:

• If the toenail is severely ingrown, painful, swollen, or infected, do not attempt to cut it yourself. Seek professional medical or podiatric care.
• For infected or recurrent ingrown toenails, a healthcare professional may need to partially or fully remove the nail under sterile conditions with local anesthesia

• People with diabetes or poor circulation should consult a healthcare provider promptly if they develop an ingrown toenail due to higher risk of complications

This approach helps manage mild ingrown toenails at home while reducing the risk of infection and complications. For more severe cases, professional treatment is safer and more effective.