Ingrown toenail is painful and can get infected if not treated. If pus starts to form around the affected area, that means your body is fighting off the infection. Although always advisable, some try home remedies first, disregarding a physician’s intervention in the case. This blog post will walk you through some of the most effective and safe DIY methods to enable you to drain pus from an ingrown toenail, along with giving you some helpful tips to save yourself from further infection.
Understanding Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail occurs when one of the sides of the toenail grows into the skin surrounding it. Typically associated symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and sometimes infection. Causes can be due to inappropriate trimming of the toenails, tight shoes, or toenails that naturally curl. When an infection occurs, pus may build up around the toenail, which can become painful and raise one’s risk for further complications.
The good news for people affected by this condition is that it can be remedied at home. However, one needs to be very careful when considering any home remedy to prevent further aggravating the infection or the nail bed.
Is Draining Pus at Home Safe?
But before proceeding with the different DIY methods, let me answer the question first: Is it safe to perform pus drainage on an infected ingrown toenail at home? The short answer is yes but with precautions. If the infection is only mild, home drainage could be safe using sterilized tools and a clean environment. However, it is best to consult a doctor for treatment if one has an underlying health condition such as diabetes, poor circulation, or a compromised immune system.
Homemade Ways of Removing Pus from an Ingrown Toenail
Now that we have dealt with the primer, let’s deal with some very simple homemade ways to take care of pus in an ingrown toenail.
1. Soak in Warm Salt Water
One of the most effective and soothing ways to reduce inflammation and to draw out pus from an ingrown toenail is soaking your foot in warm, salty water. Adding salt makes the environment not conducive for bacteria, hence reducing the chances of further infection.
How to do it:
- Put warm water in a basin and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt.
- Soak the affected foot in it for 15-20 minutes, twice daily.
- After soaking, dry your foot and apply an antibiotic ointment on it.
The process helps soften the skin around an ingrown toenail, thus making it easy to handle and over time, it may draw out the pus.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best home remedies for cleaning up almost any type of wound. It will help in ingrown toenails to eliminate pus. Its mechanism relies on the killing of bacteria, disinfecting, and helping in the process of healing.
How to do it:
- Dilute hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water.
- Dip a cotton ball or clean cloth into the solution and apply to the affected area.
- Let it sit for a few minutes, then flush it with clean water.
Doing this twice a day serves to disinfect the ingrown nail and further assist the process of draining out pus. A degree of care must be taken in the use of peroxide; an overuse of the chemical could dry up the skin.
3. An Antibacterial Ointment
Application of a topical antibiotic cream may clear the infection and allow healing. You can purchase over-the-counter ointments such as Neosporin to apply directly to the area after soaking your foot or cleaning the wound.
How to do it:
- After soaking your foot, pat the affected area dry with a clean towel.
- Dab a small amount of antibacterial ointment onto the area where you can see the pus.
- Cover it with a sterile bandage to keep the area clean.
You can do this three times a day. This will help in clearing up the infection and simultaneously build up a protective barrier against infection and contamination.
4. Drainage of Pus Using a Clean Needle
This must be done very, very cautiously. If the pus has accumulated in a little visible collection, you can use a sterile needle to drain this out. First, sterilize the needle and the area around it.
How to do it:
- Sterilize a needle by holding it over the flame for few seconds or with alcohol.
- Carefully lance the area of most visibly collected pus, making sure to insert the needle not too deeply.
- Allow the pus to drain and clean the area with hydrogen peroxide or any antiseptic solution.
- Smear with an antibacterial ointment and cover the area with a sterile bandage.
This should be done sparingly and only if you are confident in your abilities to do this safely. If the pus does not drain easily or the area becomes more painful, then you should stop and seek medical advice.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is antiseptic in nature, hence it helps reduce infection and swelling. It is highly known for its efficacy in killing bacteria and fungus, hence it is effective and sufficient enough for minor infection treatment at home.
How to do it:
- Dilute the tea tree oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil to avoid any irritation.
- Using a cotton ball, apply this solution to the ingrown toenail.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off.
Application once or twice daily will be satisfactory for the infection, reduce swelling, and prevent further complications.
How to Prevent Ingrown Toenails in the Future
While it is good to learn How to drain pus from ingrown toenail, it will be more essential to put emphasis on its prevention. Here are some tips that will save you from future infections:
Cut your nails correctly: Straight across the toe is the proper way to cut toenails, with no toes being too short. Wear comfortable shoes: Shoes that are too tight can jam the toenail into the surrounding skin, creating an ingrown toenail. Practice good foot hygiene: Keep feet clean by washing them regularly and drying them completely, particularly between the toes. Change socks often in order not to let bacteria build up.
Avoid Picking at Your Toenails: It is also very crucial not to give in to the temptation to pick at an ingrown toenail or try to fix the thing yourself by tearing off the edge of the nail.
Cover Your Feet: If you are prone to ingrown toenails, wear shoes that offer protection for your toes by being roomy enough.
Conclusion
In the end, ingrown toenails are a bit uncomfortable; knowing how to treat them at home could ease the pain and prevent the onset of infection. Always start with the less invasive procedures: soaking your foot in salt water, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial ointments. For deeper infections, one can use sterilized tools to drain the pus or natural remedies such as tea tree oil.
However, it is always advisable to seek medical advice if the infection worsens or if one has certain health conditions that involve the immune system. Early steps could be taken to avoid the condition from deteriorating further and thus allowing quicker recovery.