Ingrown toenails can be painful but sometimes may lead to infection. When pus forms around the nail, that means your body is fighting the infection. One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to ingrown toenails is if it is safe or not to have pus drained at home. While it can be safely done in some instances, one must follow correct care to avoid further complications. In this article, we will cover the safe ways of draining pus from an ingrown toenail, prevent its infection, and when one needs to get professional medical help.
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail is an ailment where the edge of the nail grows into the skin instead of over it. This may be due to improper cutting of the nails, tight fitting shoes, or inherently curved toenails. The signs and symptoms accompanying the condition may include but are not limited to pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes infection with pus formation.
Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail
Pain and tenderness along the side of the nail
Swelling around the nail
Redness or warmth of the involved area
Pus or drainage, indicating infection
If your ingrown toenail has become infected, you should take immediate action to avoid worsening the infection.
Is It Safe to Drain Pus from an Ingrown Toenail?
The answer in short is that yes, it can be safe to drain pus from an ingrown toenail but only if it's done properly. Otherwise, there is always the risk if the procedure is done either incompletely or without hygienic precautions. If you do try to drain the pus, make sure the utensils are sterilized and the procedure is clean. Otherwise, you may further the infection or bring new bacteria to it.
You can drain pus yourself with some minor infections at home and enjoy immediate relief. However, when it is worse, it is recommended to consult a professional.
When Is It Not Safe?
In such cases, where the infection already passed on from the toenail itself or when one has a systemic condition such as diabetes or poor circulation, it is best to not make a drainage by oneself but instead consult a doctor. People suffering from such conditions run a greater risk of complications that may spill over into serious infections that must be taken care of medically.
How to Safely Drain Pus from an Ingrown Toenail
If you feel like you must try to drain the pus yourself, follow this safe method. Remember, good hygiene is imperative, as you would not want to further the infection.
Step 1: Clean the Affected Area
First and foremost, soak your foot in soapy warm water. You may even soak it in warm and soapy water for 10–15 minutes to soften up the skin and the nail. This will make the process less painful and limit further injury.
Step 2: Sterilize Your Tools
You will need a sterilized needle or pin to help you drain the pus. You can sterilize the needle by doing either of the following:
Boil it in water for 5 minutes
Dip and wipe with rubbing alcohol
Using clean and sterilized tools minimizes the chance of introducing new bacteria in the area.
Step 3: Gently Pierce the Pus Pocket
Using your prepared tools, press the side of the toenail where you can visibly see some pus coming out. However, do this carefully and never use too much pressure, which can further cause more injury to the area. You may create a small puncture on the skin, allowing it to drain out by using a sterilized needle.
Step 4: Drain and Clean
Once the pus starts draining, take a clean tissue or cotton swab and gently remove the fluid from the area. You may need to put some pressure lightly around the area to get all of the pus out.
Step 5: Disinfect the Area
Once you have been able to drain the pus, disinfection of the area becomes necessary to prevent further infection. For cleaning, you may use over-the-counter antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol.
Step 6: Wrap and Protect
Following disinfection, apply an antibiotic ointment to the area and cover with a clean bandage to keep it free of dirt and bacteria.
Step 7: Look for Signs of Infection
Watch your toe for the following days. You should, of course see a doctor if there is increased swelling, redness or you develop pus or if the pain worsens. These would be possible signs that the infection is not healing and may require treatment with antibiotics or by a professional.
Home Remedies to Help with Ingrown Toenails
Along with draining the pus, here are some home remedies to help alleviate discomfort and promote healing: 1. Epsom Salt Soaks Soaking your foot in warm water mixed with Epsom salt reduces inflammation and softens the skin around the toenail to make treatment easier. 2. Tea Tree Oil
Application of the tea tree oil helps fight against the infection and heals the inflammation sooner. Always remember to dilute it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, before applying it.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar prevents infection due to its properties. Dip a cotton ball in diluted apple cider vinegar, reach the affected area, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
4. Cotton or Dental Floss
Soaking your skin in warm water may soften the skin, and then a small piece of cotton or dental floss may be placed under the edge of the toenail to encourage the toenail to grow outward and away from the skin.
When to See a Doctor
While sometimes at-home treatments for pus drainage can be effective, that may not always be the case. If your infection is not getting any better, or it seems like it's getting worse, after you have treated it at home, you should see a healthcare provider. You will also want to see a doctor if any of the following signs and symptoms occur:
Persistent or worsening pain
Red streaks extending from the toe
Fever or chills
Signs and symptoms of cellulitis, which is a skin infection that includes redness and swelling
The doctor will, depending on the condition of the patient, be able to prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection or minor surgery whereby the part of the nail causing the trouble will be removed.
Prevention of Ingrown Toenails and Infections
The best way to avoid infection, as mentioned, and pus drainage is prevention of ingrown toenails. Following are a few tips to keep your toenails healthy:
Cut your toenails straight across; do not allow the edges to be rounded.
Do not wear tight or pointed shoes that crowd the toes.
Keep feet clean and dry to prevent infection.
Consult a podiatrist if you have continued problems with ingrown toenails for professional advise on treating these.
Conclusion
Generally, it is safe and can bring instantaneous comfort if it is done with due care and hygiene in order to drain pus from the ingrown toenail. However, one has to know the right time when he/she should seek medical attention, especially when the infection is getting worse. You can safely take care of a minor infection by following the above steps. In the case of the persistent toe infection, you may try professional treatments to avoid recurrence of the condition. After reading this, if you had a question, "How to drain pus from ingrown toenail," now you have the answer to do it safely.
