Ingrown toe nail is a serious problem, with a threat of inflammation, edema and infection. It should be treated at once.
First, try to avoid ingrown nails. Do not cut the sides of the nail too deep, try to get a more flat end. If you leave a deep sharp cut of the toe nail and try a mile in tight shoes, an ingrown nail is guaranteed.
If you got one, wash it with hydrogen peroxide, until the peroxide doesn’t bubble anymore. That will cleanse the wound. Do it 2-3 times a day. Walk as little as you can for the next 2-3 days. If you have to walk, don’t use restraining and tight-fitting shoes. Continue treating the toe for 2-3 weeks, until the cut nail ends regrow. The process will be accompanied by dull pain, as the nail creates new grooves in the toe flesh. So be prepared for that.
If the treatment didn’t help in a month, sick medical assistance. You need a surgeon.
Opt out of normal (local, scalpel, stitches) surgery! The recovery will take weeks, leaving unsightly scars and marks. Moreover, mechanical ingrown toe nail surgery has a very high recurrence rate, so all your suffer may as well be in vain.
Insist on laser treatment ingrown nail treatment. Laser will evaporate the excess nail without damaging the nail grooves.
Don’t worry, it’s a 10 minute procedure and they shoot you with a local. No stitches and no blood, as laser beam immediately welds vessels and tissue.
If you take 3 days off and get the laser surgery on Tuesday evening, you’ll have enough days to fully recover and walk to work on Monday.
Laser treatment has very few recurrences. Of course, this is only true if you treat your toe nails as advised above.