Ingrown toenail kit
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- Medicated ingrown toenail relief kit. Best for: Temporary pain relief while the nail edge is lifted out. See options on Amazon
- Waxed dental floss. Best for: Lifting the nail edge after soaking. See options on Amazon
- Straight-edge toenail clippers. Best for: Trimming toenails straight across. See options on Amazon
What an ingrown toenail kit can contain
| Kit type | What it includes | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Medicated relief kit | Sodium sulfide 1% gel, retainer ring, bandage strips | Label says up to 7 days, adults and children 12 and over |
| Nail lifting supplies | Cotton or waxed dental floss to tuck under the edge | Mayo Clinic's home method |
| Corrector strips or braces | Strips or wires sold to straighten curved nails | Not among the methods Mayo Clinic describes; ask a podiatrist |
| Nail tools | Clippers, files and lifters | Trim straight across; do not dig into corners |
The medicated kit details are from a Scholl's ingrown toenail label on DailyMed. Home care steps are from Mayo Clinic and NIDDK.
Home care that Mayo Clinic suggests
- Soak. Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day until the toe improves.
- Lift the edge. After each soak, put fresh bits of cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown edge to help the nail grow above the skin edge.
- Protect it. Put petroleum jelly on the tender area and bandage the toe.
- Shoes. Consider open-toed shoes or sandals until the toe feels better.
- Pain relief. A nonprescription pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help.
If you have diabetes, NIDDK advises against soaking your feet, so ask your provider for a plan instead.
Using a medicated ingrown toenail gel
The Scholl's label lists sodium sulfide 1% for temporary relief of pain and discomfort from ingrown toenails. Its directions: wash and dry the area, place the retainer ring so its slot sits where the nail and skin meet, fill the slot with gel, seal it with the bandage, and repeat twice daily for up to 7 days until the nail can be lifted out of the groove and trimmed.
- Do not use on open sores.
- Ask a doctor before use if you have diabetes, poor blood circulation or gout.
- Stop and ask a doctor if redness or swelling increases, discharge appears around the nail, or symptoms last more than 7 days.
Trimming to help prevent it
- Straight across. NIDDK advises trimming toenails straight across with clippers and not cutting into the corners.
- Smooth the edges. NIDDK suggests gently smoothing each nail with an emery board or a nonsharp file.
- Let a foot doctor trim if your nails curve and grow into the skin, if they are thick or yellowed, or if you cannot see, feel or reach your feet, as NIDDK advises.
For thick nails, see our toenail fungus treatment guide.
What a provider can do
Mayo Clinic says that if home remedies have not helped, a provider may lift the nail edge and place cotton, dental floss or a splint under it, which helps the nail grow above the skin edge, usually in 2 to 12 weeks. Other options include taping the skin away from the nail, slipping a tiny gutter splint under the nail after numbing the toe, or partly removing the nail for more severe cases with inflamed skin, pain and pus.
Mayo Clinic notes that after partial removal it could take 2 to 4 months for the nail to grow back, and that the problem sometimes returns even after successful surgery.
When to skip the kit
- Signs of infection. Inflamed skin, pain and pus point to a more severe ingrown nail that Mayo Clinic says a provider may need to treat.
- Diabetes or poor circulation. The kit label says to ask a doctor first, and NIDDK suggests a foot doctor trim nails that grow into the skin.
- Keeps coming back. Mayo Clinic says repeated problems on the same toe may lead a provider to suggest removing part of the nail and nail bed.
For daily foot protection, see our diabetic socks guide.
What to look for when you buy
Medicated ingrown toenail relief kit
Best for: Temporary pain relief while the nail edge is lifted out
A Scholl's label lists sodium sulfide 1% gel with retainer rings and bandages, used twice daily for up to 7 days.
Watch out: Not for open sores; ask a doctor first with diabetes, poor circulation or gout.
See options on AmazonWaxed dental floss
Best for: Lifting the nail edge after soaking
Mayo Clinic suggests tucking fresh bits of cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown edge after each soak.
Watch out: Stop and see a provider if pain, redness or pus increases.
See options on AmazonStraight-edge toenail clippers
Best for: Trimming toenails straight across
NIDDK advises trimming toenails straight across and not cutting into the corners.
Watch out: With diabetes or nails that curve into the skin, let a foot doctor trim them.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do ingrown toenail kits work?
- Medicated kits are labeled for temporary pain relief; Mayo Clinic's home soaking and lifting steps help most cases.
- How long should I soak an ingrown toenail?
- Mayo Clinic says 10 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day, unless you have diabetes.
- Should I cut into the corner of an ingrown toenail?
- NIDDK advises trimming straight across and not cutting into the corners; see a provider if it is inflamed.
- Can I use an ingrown toenail kit with diabetes?
- Ask a doctor first, as the label says; NIDDK suggests a foot doctor for nails growing into the skin.
- How long until an ingrown toenail grows out?
- With a provider lifting it, Mayo Clinic says usually 2 to 12 weeks.
Sources
- Ingrown toenails: Diagnosis and treatment (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
- Ingrown Toenail (sodium sulfide) gel label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, National Library of Medicine
- Diabetes & Foot Problems (niddk.nih.gov), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases