READ FIRST: I'm just a guy who's had ingrown toenails and then stumbled on a way to manage them and I think (fingers crossed) put them behind me. One time I even had to go into a podiatrist and have an ingrown toenail surgically fixed. It was not pleasant. A buddy turned me onto this topical solution called Outgro (pictured to the right). It's cheap and it really works. Basically it numbs the area where your ingrown nail is digging into your sensitive skin, (so that's nice) for some quick pain relief. Secondly, when the skin is numbed up it's more manageable to get in there with the right (sterile) tools and fix the problem yourself. This Outgro stuff is cheap and works well, but for whatever reason isn't at most drug stores (at least where I live) so I order it online. It's surprisingly cheaper that way too.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Ingrown Toenail Files

Ingrown toenail files are very helpful if not essential for home ingrown toenail treatment as described in the previous post.

Whether you're treating recurring ingrown toenails or simply fixing a mildly inflamed ingrown toenail the two most important things to keep in mind when using any of the products shown below is:

  1. If you're dealing with an ingrown toenail infection see a doctor for professional help immediately. If you're concerned about the cost of ingrown toenail removal that's a very valid concern and if you educate yourself on the matter you can find excellent professional help in the most economical way possible, e.g. speak to your insurance, research free clinics, etc.
  2. Before and after every use of any of the ingrown toenail files below sterilize these tools in scalding hot water to kill bacteria and minimize the chances of giving yourself an infection. Boil some water on the stove and put your metal ingrown toenail file in the boiling water for a few minutes to clean it.. Don't burn yourself. Allow the file to cool before using it and also wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before handling an open wound or irritated area of your toe.