How to quickly treat ingrown toenail?

Antibiotics to treat infected ingrown toenail?

• Ok so I have had problems with ingrown toenails on my big toes for a few months now, I have been treating them myself by cutting away some of the nail to alleviate the pressure (I know not the smartest thing) usually they get infected but the infection seem to clear up soon after I cut away the nail but this time it didnt so I decided to see my doctor who prescribed me Cephalexin to clear up the infection. So now my question is.. wont the infection just come right back after the ingrown nail grows back in? Kinda seems like it wont help the overall problem and I will be right back where I started!

• Answer:

  I'm a ballet dancer, and I used to have terrible issues with ingrown toenails. Something about spending 6 hours a day directly on your toes tends to make them angry. First, stop cutting them out! Yes, it hurts, and it sucks, but it will get better, I promise. Second, cut your toenails straight across. Not curved, not slightly shorter at the edges, STRAIGHT across. I used to take tiny bits of cotton, dip them in rubbing alcohol, and use the end of a metal nail file to GENTLY push it under the nail, so it created a little cushion and to kill the infection. Worked great. Keep doing this until the nail grows out. If you can't stop the ingrown toenails, you can go to the doctor and a) have her kill the part of the nail that keeps getting ingrown or b) completely remove the nail. I have a friend who did the latter and her big toes look a little funny, but she's much more comfortable.