If you are using a cotton round or cotton ball, remove a small piece of cotton with the tweezers. If you are using unflavored dental floss, cut a 6 inches (15 cm) piece of dental floss. Lift the corner of the ingrown toenail with the disinfected tweezers and gently work the cotton or dental floss under the nail. If desired, you may apply an antiseptic ointment, such as Neosporin, to the cotton or floss before sliding it under the nail. Do not try to put the cotton or dental floss under the nail if the nail bed looks swollen or red. Remove the cotton or dental floss daily, cleanse the area, and replace with new cotton or dental floss to reduce the risk of infection.
Replace the cotton every day to keep the toe from becoming infected. If the toenail is painful, replace the cotton every other day, checking daily for infection.
Keep in mind that this will not treat an ingrown toenail, but it may help to prevent an infection.
Lemon has antimicrobial effects, but it will not get rid of an ingrown toenail. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Tea tree oil: this essential oil is both an antibacterial and an antifungal agent that smells great. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Baby oil: another great-smelling mineral oil, this doesn’t have the antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil, but works great for softening the skin.
Use toenail clippers or nail scissors to trim toenails. Ordinary nail clippers are small enough that they tend to leave sharp edges near the corner of the toenail. Optimally, try to cut your toenails once every 2-3 weeks. Unless your toenails grow extremely fast, cutting your toenails often won’t give them a good chance to become ingrown.
Try to wear open-toed shoes to prevent pressure on your toe. Since your toe should also be covered, use bandages or wear socks with sandals. Although this is unfashionable, it is better than having to get surgery.
