Ingrown Toenails - Causes, Symptoms and How To Treat Naturally
Posted: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
by Eamon Greville
http://www.sorefeetsolved.com
Ingrown Toenails are caused by nails that have become embedded in the soft flesh surrounding the big toe. It is often the big toe that is most affected, however other toes can also suffer. The following is some essential advice on possible causes, symptoms and a natural treatment option for painful ingrown toenails.
Causes
Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful. They are caused by a number of factors: wearing either, short, tight shoes, socks or hosiery, poor nail care, injury to the nail bed; fungus and heredity factors. Obese people are particularly susceptible - their feet gain weight just like the rest of the body and the skin can swell up and around the toenail. If you combine this with the excess pressure placed upon the feet, and a bit of well intentioned but poor nail clipping, and you have a ready recipe for pain.
Symptoms
An infection called paronychia can result when a toenail penetrates the flesh. It often begins as a minor swelling, with evidence of redness and clear fluid oozing from the site. If this is ignored, then it can become infected and subsequently painful and swollen. At this point, walking can become unbearable. If still left without appropriate treatment, pus may exude from the infected site and red streaks may appear along the foot and shoot up the leg. At this point the infection will have become dangerous as it could enter the bloodstream, causing you to become ill, possible leading to the loss of a toe, foot or leg, if gangrene subsequently sets in. Be assured though - this is thankfully a rare occurance.
Treatment
In order to treat an ingrown toenail at its early stages soak your foot in a tub filled with warm, strong sage and yarrow tea(make this by using ½ cup or 60 millilitres each of dried herb per gallon of boiling water, then merely steep, strain and cool until adjudged comfortable, 1/2 cup or 120 millilitres of sea salt, and a few drops of tea tree lavender essential oil for 10 - 15 minutes. Dry thoroughly. Now take a sliver of cotton and using a clean toothpick, ever so gently wedge the cotton under the offending toenail. Leave it there until the toenail grows out. It will assist in directing the nails growth over the skin. Apply a drop of either thyme, lavender or tea tree essential oil on the site daily in order to help keep any infection at bay.
Copyright (c) 2010 Eamon Greville
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Ingrown toenails are often painful and unsightly. They can however be prevented or alleviated with proper foot care and attention. For free information, advice and resources do check out
http://www.sorefeetsolved.com
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