Floss Fix for Ingrown Toenails

The edges of some toenails curve inward and grow into the side of the toe, resulting in infection and the need for office surgery. To encourage the nail edge to grow over the top of the paronychial tissue, have the patient pull a piece of dental floss under the nail edge and then snip off the ends of the floss, leaving a small piece underneath. Inserting 2 or 3 pieces works even better! This is much less painful than trying to insert a small piece of cotton under the edge of the nail.

—— Richard Honaker, MD