Ingrown toenails are among the most common foot complaints, which may be painful for the patient in case there is any swelling and infection. This is generally a painful, usually pus-filled disease caused by the ingrowth of the corner or edge of your toenail into the skin surrounding it. Nevertheless, you can safely drain an infected ingrown toenail home to speed up its healing process even when the condition appears daunting.

This paper examines effective ways in which one can drain pus from an ingrown toenail, with a focus on home remedies and prevention tips, and identifying instances where one should seek medical assistance.

Understanding Ingrown Toenails and Formation of Pus

An ingrown toenail, also called onychocryptosis, is when the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. This mostly occurs because of wrong methods of cutting the nail, shoes that are too tight, and when there is an injury to the toe. Mild instances are merely a small discomfort whereas severe cases may develop infections in which bacteria invade the broken skin. This results in swelling, redness, and pus formation.

Pus is a sign that your body is fighting the infection. Although it is one step of the healing process, allowing pus to build up increases the infection and pain greatly. It is, therefore, important that you take action as soon as possible.

Steps to Drain Pus from an Infected Ingrown Toenail

Care is taken not to drain the pus lest it promotes reinfection or further destruction of the skin. How to drain pus from ingrown toenail - A step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare a Warm Soak

The first step toward the treatment of the infected ingrown toenail is to soak your foot in warm, soapy water. Adding Epsom salts added to the water may further help by reducing inflammation and drawing out the pus. Soak your foot for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day. It softens the skin and the nail so that the pus can be drained out easily. 2. Clean the Affected Area

Then, soak the area with an antiseptic solution or mild soap. This will help clean up the surface of any bacteria and reduce further infection.

3. Sterilize Your Tools

If you would like to drain the pus yourself, take care that any utensils you employ-a pair of tweezers or a needle-are sterilized. You will be able to do this by dropping them in boiling water or soaking them in alcohol. Sterilizing the utensils helps decrease the possibility of further bacterial invasion into the already infected site.

4. Apply Gentle Pressure

If it is a mild infection, you can try to lightly press the inflamed region to squeeze out the pus. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, for this can further damage the tissue and/or push the infection deeper into your skin. Stop immediately if pus does not emerge easily, and soak your foot some more.

5. Apply a Clean Bandage

Draining the pus, then cleaning the area again with antiseptic. Next, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover that protected toe with a clean bandage. Change your bandage daily or when it gets dirty or wet.

6. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

If you are feeling any discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and inflammation. Always take medicines only as directed on the package.

When to seek medical attention

The most of the ingrown toenail infections can easily be treated at home. However, when it comes to these three instances, medical help is essential to consider. If: 

• The infection is severe, featuring serious redness, swelling, or pus.

• You have diabetes or a condition affecting blood circulation, for such infections may prove dangerous.

• The ingrown toenail isn't getting any better after a few days of home treatment.

• There are signs of an infection spreading such as streaks of redness extending up the foot or leg.

A podiatrist can safely drain the pus and prescribe antibiotics where there is a particularly persistent infection. Sometimes, minor surgery may be carried out to take advantage of removing part of the nail.

Prevention Tips for Ingrown Toenails

The best way to deal with ingrown toenails is by trying to prevent them from happening in the first place. Proper care of your feet and nails can prevent infection and save one from pain caused by an ingrown toenail. Some useful ways of prevention that one can apply include:

1. Proper Trimming of the Nails

Cut your toenails straight across, with no rounded edges that could encourage the nail to delve into the skin. Keep the nails at a medium length, since too short a length invites ingrowth.

2. Wear Proper Footwear

Tight shoes, especially those that crowd your toes, raise the chances of developing ingrown toenails. Wear comfortable shoes with wide toe boxes so there is a lot of space between your toes. Not to mention, have your shoes fitted correctly.

3. Maintain Good Foot Hygiene

Wash your feet regularly with soap and water to avoid formation of bacteria. When you are done washing, dry thoroughly between the toes.

4. Apply Protective Pads

If you have a lot of ingrown toenails, consider applying toe protectors or padding to cushion the nail to prevent pressure from digging the nail into your skin. These are fairly easy to apply and are readily accessible from most pharmacies.

5. Inspect Your Feet Regularly

Pay extra attention to your feet, particularly when you commonly have ingrown nails. Since you can identify an ingrown toenail at an early stage, you will prevent an infection.

Home Remedies for Infection and Pain Relief

Apart from the above steps, there are also a few natural ways to relieve one's pain and infection in the ingrown toenail. These are as follows:

Tea Tree Oil: It is believed that tea tree oil contains antibacterial qualities, which dilute the oil and apply it on the infected part to fight bacteria.

Apple Cider Vinegar: The inflammation and disinfecting of the infected area can be done with a foot-soaking mixture of water and apple cider vinegar.

Turmeric Paste: A turmeric-water paste applied over the infected toe accelerates recovery because turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Conclusion

Drainage of pus from an ingrown toenail effectively is part of knowledge concerning home foot care. You will be able to address the infection early and avoid further complications if proper hygiene, gentle manipulations, and preventive measures are followed; if the infection does not subside or further deteriorates, it will always be better to seek medical advice.

Preventive measures for ingrown toenails include regular maintenance of the feet, proper nail trimming, and being particularly mindful of your footwear. This will go a long way in solving your problems of ingrown toenails. Dealing with the problems right away and adhering to the steps outlined in this guide will further encourage quicker healing and avoid the pain and discomfort of infected ingrown toenails.