A common misconception about having an infected ingrown toenail is that it needs to be cut. Contrary to popular belief, cutting the nail can make the infection worse. It can also cause more ingrown toenails in the future. Leave the nail uncut, and prop it up to relieve pressure. The toenail may need to be cut by a doctor, but should not be done at home in ‘bathroom surgery’. It may be tempting to try to relieve pressure or lift the nail from the skin by digging at the skin underneath. Do not do this because it can intensify an infection and make the ingrown nail worse. Stay away from your toenails with tweezers, orange sticks, clippers, files, or any other metal tools. There is a popular conception that you should use a needle to puncture a blister or a pustule caused by an infection. You should not do this because it will just make it worse. Even if you use clean tools and a sanitized needle, you can cause some serious damage by poking and prodding at a blister or infected wound. Avoid touching it with anything other than a cotton swab or bandaging materials. According to some old folk healing methods, you should cut a ‘V’ shape in the top of the infected toenail to relieve the pressure, which in turn will heal the nail. However, doing this does absolutely nothing except create a jagged edge on your nail. Do not believe urban health myths such as rubbing coal on your toe to make an infection go away. Although some people swear by this method, the coal won’t benefit the infection or the ingrown nail at all. In fact, this method may make it worse. In general, you should not put anything on your toe or the infected area except for antibiotic cream or bandages.
لا تقطع الظفر. لا تحفر أسفل الظفر. لا تحاول تصريف الصديد أو العدوى. لا تقطع قطع "V" في الظفر. تجنبي طلاء ظفرك.