Ingrown toenails can be painful and uncomfortable, but there are several things you can do at home to treat them. If the toenail is infected or if you have diabetes, circulation problems, or numbness in the toes, it is best to see a clinician or a foot specialist immediately. Here are some steps you can take to treat an ingrown toenail at home:

• Soak your foot in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day until the toe improves. You can add Epsom salts if you wish.
• Place cotton or dental floss under the toenail. After each soaking, put fresh bits of cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown edge. This will help the nail grow above the skin edge.
• Apply petroleum jelly on the tender area and bandage the toe.
• Wear open-toed shoes or sandals until your toe feels better.
• Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to help ease the toe pain.
• Gently lift the edge of your nail. Place a small piece of cotton between the nail and your skin. You can also use dental floss under the ingrown toenail. Change the cotton or floss every day. This will help your nail grow above the edge of your skin.
• Use an antibiotic cream and a bandage.
• Keep your foot dry the rest of the time.

If the ingrown toenail does not improve or gets worse, including increased pain, swelling, and drainage, it is best to see a healthcare provider. In severe cases, your healthcare provider may need to remove part of your nail surgically through a procedure called nail avulsion[[4]](https://ww...