Ingrown Toenail (Onychocryptosis, Unguis Incarnatus)
Ouch! This extremely common (and extremely uncomfortable condition) describes when your toe nail break through the soft flesh situated around your toe and therefore allowing bacteria/ dirt to enter. As well as irritation, swelling and inflammation, an ingrown toenail can lead to an infection. There are many degrees of severity with this condition. A mildly ingrown toenail can be treated with regular salt foot soaks and over-the-counter anti-biotic or anti-septic cream topically. On the other end of the spectrum, a seriously ingrown toenail may require surgery for full recovery.
Ingrown toenails can arise because of a number of reasons. If you don't care for your nails, or trim the nails too close to your skin, this may increase your risk of getting an ingrown nail. Dermatologists may recommend trimming your nails straight across. Compressed toes ( due to ill fitting shoes or repetition through sport etc) or injury to the toes or upper foot may also contribute to the risk. As can your genetics!
Ingrown toenails can arise because of a number of reasons. If you don't care for your nails, or trim the nails too close to your skin, this may increase your risk of getting an ingrown nail. Dermatologists may recommend trimming your nails straight across. Compressed toes ( due to ill fitting shoes or repetition through sport etc) or injury to the toes or upper foot may also contribute to the risk. As can your genetics!
Tips if you have an ingrown toenail:
- Use a foot bath to soak your feet. Use warm water and soap. Or the addition of either salt of Epsom Salts can be helpful too. Ideally you should soak your feet several times per day if you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, 20 minutes per session
- Comfortable, sensible footwear help to minimize pain from the inflamed toe
- Pain relievers can help manage pain but as always, if the pain gets worse of the infection seems to be getting worse, quickly, please consult your primary heath care provider immediately
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts have been used to enhance wellness and relaxation for centuries. Epsom salts are comprised of a naturally sourced compound, Magnesium Sulfate (by comparison, regular salt is also known as Sodium Chloride, a completely different compound). One of the most popular ways to enjoy the potential benefits of Epsom Salts is through a foot spa bath or soak in the bath. Aside from feeling very relaxing and have a softening effect on the skin, there may be some potential benefits to having a long soak in Epsom Salts.
Muscle Relaxation: A nice long foot soak or bath maybe help relief muscle soreness
Reduction of Inflammation: Magnesium Sulfate is thought to help reduce inflammation. It is uncertain how much magnesium is absorbed through the skin into the body during a bath. A reduction in inflammation could help relief symptoms such as gout, which can effect the big toe and/ or the entire foot.
Exfoliation:The exfoliating nature of the crystalline structure of Epsom slats, may help remove dead skin cells
Reducing Odor: Feet can get stinky... especially if they are not adequately cared for. A quick bath or foot soak is an easy way to support your feet hygiene; killing off nasty niffs and lurking bacteria.
Decrease Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot: Epsom salts are not a cure for fungal infection. Having an Epsom Salt soak may help extract moisture from the feet, which in turn reduces the chance that a fungal infection might spread
It is recommended to do an epsom salt soak no more than three times a week as it can dry out the skin. Warm water makes the experience even more pleasant. Don't forget to dry your feet well afterwards (ideally with a clean towel). Application of a quality foot cream such as MendMeShop's sore foot compound is a great product that would enhance this whole experience!
Things to remember:
USP designation on the brand of Epsom Salts you purchase is pretty important. This indicates the product has been tested and is deemed suitable for human use. Chat to your health care provider if you suffer from dry skin as using Epsom Salts may dry your skin further, potentially causing cracks.
Epsom salts have been used to enhance wellness and relaxation for centuries. Epsom salts are comprised of a naturally sourced compound, Magnesium Sulfate (by comparison, regular salt is also known as Sodium Chloride, a completely different compound). One of the most popular ways to enjoy the potential benefits of Epsom Salts is through a foot spa bath or soak in the bath. Aside from feeling very relaxing and have a softening effect on the skin, there may be some potential benefits to having a long soak in Epsom Salts.
Muscle Relaxation: A nice long foot soak or bath maybe help relief muscle soreness
Reduction of Inflammation: Magnesium Sulfate is thought to help reduce inflammation. It is uncertain how much magnesium is absorbed through the skin into the body during a bath. A reduction in inflammation could help relief symptoms such as gout, which can effect the big toe and/ or the entire foot.
Exfoliation:The exfoliating nature of the crystalline structure of Epsom slats, may help remove dead skin cells
Reducing Odor: Feet can get stinky... especially if they are not adequately cared for. A quick bath or foot soak is an easy way to support your feet hygiene; killing off nasty niffs and lurking bacteria.
Decrease Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot: Epsom salts are not a cure for fungal infection. Having an Epsom Salt soak may help extract moisture from the feet, which in turn reduces the chance that a fungal infection might spread
It is recommended to do an epsom salt soak no more than three times a week as it can dry out the skin. Warm water makes the experience even more pleasant. Don't forget to dry your feet well afterwards (ideally with a clean towel). Application of a quality foot cream such as MendMeShop's sore foot compound is a great product that would enhance this whole experience!
Things to remember:
USP designation on the brand of Epsom Salts you purchase is pretty important. This indicates the product has been tested and is deemed suitable for human use. Chat to your health care provider if you suffer from dry skin as using Epsom Salts may dry your skin further, potentially causing cracks.
