I have a horrible ingrown toenail that's infected and everything, but the soonest surgery is in 3 weeks. I'm really struggling with the pain and I'm a child so I can't stay at home I have school. Any ways to relieve the pain, even if only for a bit. Thanks - Emily (please don't say medication - I'm on as much as I can have and I also have a intolerance to many)
Hot salty footbaths ease pain and draw out infection. And ainkillrs until treated by a chiropodist
Like suggested above a hot footbath might help and it will also soften the nail.
Once the nail is soft you could try to (ever so gently) lift the nail from the ingrown area. This will help relieve the pain by reducing the pressure on the affected skin area. Don't use any sharp tool and disinfect it properly. It's best to ask the advise of an adult.
During the night you could try to apply an antibiotic cream. For example 'Neosporin plus pain relief' will fight the infection and reduce the pain at the same time. Either way it might be a good idea to use an antibiotic cream to fight the infection before you have your surgery.
It's not a good idea to dig yourself you need professional help from a chiropodist like myself who knows what they are doing provide an asepsis environment to prevent infection or possible sepsis and advise on cutting or removal
If you can soak your foot/feet in a bowl of warm salty Walter on a daily basis till you can see your specialist, it will help the infection, but it won't take away the pain. Try not to put to much pressure on the toe if possible. I.e don't wear thick socks or tight foot ware as this will only cause more pain. When able to rest the foot as much as possible. Only pain killer medication can take away the pain unfortunately. Good luck with it in the future hope they remove the nail for you, then you will be pain free.
Debbie.
Thanks guys, my surgery got moved forwards luckily, so I'm getting it done tomorrow. I soaked my foot a lot an it helped. I already tried to dig it out self before, but as it didn't work I went to a doctor. I'll update wether surgery goes well.
Hope all goes well with your surgery and you are painfree soon.
Btw, a friend of mine had surgery on both big toenails to correct the shape of his nails since that were prone to becoming ingrown.
Glad to here that soaking it did help for you, when they remove your nail they will inject a needle into the bottom of your toe in three different place to numb the toe. Once the toe is numb you will not feel a thing. And it will be all worth it once the nail has been removed. I have my nails removed on a regular basis, and used to the procedure. I have had four nails removed permenantly now only one more to do, which I'll be having removed next year. All the best on your surgery.