How to Fix an Ingrown Nail

Many things can cause an ingrown nail, but the main culprits are improper nail trimming and shoes that don't fit properly. Whatever the cause, an ingrown nail can be aggravating and painful. If the ingrown nail is severe enough, surgery is sometimes needed. There are ways to prevent and fix ingrown nails.

Things You'll Need

• Epsom salts
• Nail file
• Tweezers
• Cotton ball
• Tea tree oil
• Nail clippers

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Instructions

• 1

  Examine your toenails and fingernails at the first sign of discomfort. And ingrown nail can be averted at this point. Look for any redness around the nail area.

• 2

  Soak your feet in a warm epsom salt bath. Epsom salts are anti-inflammatory agents and may decrease the swelling of the skin in the nail area. The swelling may go down enough to avert an ingrown nail. Soak your feet 3 to 4 times a day in an epsom salt bath.

• 3

  Nail files can help fix an ingrown nail.

  Use a nail file or tweezers to fix the nail. After the foot bath, the nail will be soft and pliable. Gently pry up the nail with a nail file or tweezers. Place a small bit of cotton that has been soaked in tea tree oil under the edge of the nail. The tea tree oil is an anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-septic oil that will promote healing, The cotton under the nail will help the nail grow in the proper direction.

• 4

  Use tweezers to remove the ingrown portion of the nail.

  Use tweezers to pull out the nail from the skin. When you pry up the nail, a piece of it may break off and lodge itself into the skin. If this happens, use the tweezers to pull it out. You may need to soak your foot again to soften the skin more.

• 5

  Keep your nails properly groomed.

  Keep your nails groomed properly. Trim the nails along the top and cut them straight across. Avoid shaping the nail in an oval shape. Nails that are straight across won't grown into the skin, whereas nails that are oval-shaped have a tendency to become ingrown.