Easy Ways to Remove a Dead Toenail
Dead toenails aren’t pleasant, but they’re not the world’s end. Dead toenails don’t hurt more than they should and won’t spread disease or risk for infection, making walking a little more difficult. If you have recently purchased some new shoes or if your old ones are starting to look a little worse for wear, there is a chance that you might be wearing down your heels a bit faster than usual, so that could be why you are noticing those nails sooner than you would like to. But no need to panic; dead nail removal doesn’t have to be painful or scary, especially when you know the easiest remedies for toenail fungus, using common household products. These methods do not include costly, over-the-counter antifungal creams, medical, or laser treatments. Here are 16 easy ways you can remove a dead nail the right way.
Hot oil treatment
Another quick and easy way to get rid of a dead nail is by applying a hot oil massage directly onto the affected area. Heat is one of the best things to eliminate dead skin cells, so using a heating pad or heat lamp in addition to the massage ensures that the dead layer of skin is removed. A few drops of lavender essential oils mixed into the oil will further enhance its soothing properties. It may seem strange at first, but this method works well because it’s both relaxing and stimulating at the same time. Massaging with cuticle oils helps to stimulate blood circulation, which promotes healing and reduces the risk of infection. The warmth from the oil also warms up the surrounding tissues making them feel better and resulting in youthful skin.
Sugar scrub
A sugar scrub is another great option for getting rid of toenail fungal infections. Sugar scrubs are made from natural ingredients such as honey, coconut oil, olive oil, cocoa butter, almond milk, and even salt. You simply take a teaspoon full of the mixture (or however much you want) and rub it over the dead nail, then rinse off with lukewarm water. After the scrub, wear cotton socks instead of tight socks to avoid worsening the situation. This method works very well because although it only takes a minute or two to apply the sugar scrub, it will leave your nail shiny and soft and increase foot hygiene.
Lemon juice
A simple lemon juice foot soak will help to soften and reduce the appearance of dead skin on your feet. Simply dip your foot into a bowl filled with fresh lemon juice until it reaches about half an inch below the cuticle. Leave it alone for around 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Lemon juice has antibacterial properties, and it contains citric acid, which helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells causing the infected nails to fall away.
Oatmeal bath
An oatmeal bath is a wonderful way to remove signs of infection and result in flawless skin and foot files. Adding some cinnamon to the bath will give it a nice scent while also helping to promote relaxation. Mix together 2 cups of boiling water and 1 cup of oats. Add a pinch of cinnamon and let cool completely. Once cooled, add the mixture to a large tub containing enough warm water to cover your entire body. Relax for 30 minutes and enjoy a healthy treat! Once done, cover your feet with clean socks.
Almond milk
An almond milk soak is also a great way to naturally soften rough spots on your feet. Just mix together equal parts of almond milk and water. Let’s sit overnight and watch your feet dry. Rinse off thoroughly the next day, and you’ll notice fewer calluses forming on your feet. Almonds contain magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc, and potassium, all working together as antifungal treatments.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is actually a miracle product when it comes to caring for your nails because it not only keeps the cuticle area hydrated and moisturized, but it can also be used as a treatment for many other ailments, including eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, sunburn, noticeable scar and even a hangover remedy. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Lauric acid is what gives coconut oil its “creamy texture” and is an excellent emollient that protects against bacterial infections. Myristic acid is a fatty acid found in animal fats, palm oil, and coconuts. Palmitic acid is saturated fat in most vegetable oils and myristic acid. Stearic acid is also known as saturated fat and is present in dairy products and beef tallow. All these acids provide nourishment and moist environments to the skin and prevent inflammation.
Cut the nail off
If you want to kick off the process as quickly and painlessly as possible, this is the best way. You can use a utility knife or a pair of scissors to cut the nail off. This will make it easier for you to see what color nail is turning white because some of it might still be there. When you get close enough to the dead piece of your nail, stop cutting and use tweezers or pliers to pull it out. If you decide that cutting isn’t your thing, grab a piece of tape and cover up your adjacent nails, so you don’t accidentally cut them, too, when taking care of your dead one.
Nail Clipper Method
If you want to cut your nails instead of having them professionally done, many different tools are available to help you achieve this goal. There are nail pullers, clippers and scissors, but if you prefer to keep things simpler, then you may choose to buy nail clippers instead. Nail clippers are designed to be used to trim your fingernails and toenails, and they are very useful when you wish to grow new ones. However, there are drawbacks to using these devices. First, clean the blades regularly because bacteria can easily build up inside them over time. Second, you cannot use them to remove the dead skin around your nails; therefore, you will still need to remove this material manually. Finally, depending on your purchase type, you might spend more money than you anticipated. Therefore, it is best to consult a professional manicurist to get rid of your dead nail so that you can start growing healthy nails again. Also, it is recommended to consult a medical professional in case of ingrown nails.
Shaving cream removal
If you want to remove a dead nail gently, shaving cream is a great solution. Just make sure that you scrape the nail with a file or nail shaper or something similar to remove any dirt and grime from the surface before using the cream. Then, dip a cotton pad into shaving cream and use it to clean up any excess cream on your nails. The best part about shaving cream is that it’s not just for men – women can benefit from this method and get strong nails!
Soak and then dry your feet
First, you will want to soak your entire nail bed with warm water for about 15 minutes. This foot soak will help soften the nail so you can get it off easier. Once you have soaked your nails in water, simply scrub them with a nail cleaner or something similar and let them dry. If you don’t want to do this step, grab a towel and cover your feet with it before using one hand to hold down the sides of the nail while using the other hand to twist and pull on the nail from below.
Baking soda and vinegar soak
Baking soda and vinegar are two ingredients you likely have in your home already. Mix equal parts of each into a bowl and cover the bottom of the foot with the mixture. Leave this on for 10 minutes, then scrub the nail with a toothbrush before rinsing it off. This method gives flawless skin and clean nails because baking soda is a mild abrasive that removes dead tissue, while vinegar cleans and kills bacteria.
Salt soak
A salt soak is the simplest and most effective way to remove a dead toenail. You’ll need approximately 2 tablespoons of table salt, one pint of water, and a wooden spoon. Mix the salt with the water and stir until it becomes thick. The mixture will turn white from the salt crystals. Dip your foot in this mixture for 10 minutes or so until it’s completely dry. After the soak, you can file away any remaining dead skin or dead skin cells with a nail file, nail cleaner or sandpaper so that your nail doesn’t get too rough afterwards.
Overnight soaking with salt
One of the easiest ways to remove a dead nail is by soaking the nail bed in salt water overnight. Pour ½ a cup of water into a bowl and add 1/16 of a cup of Epsom salts. Stir until the salt is dissolved, and then put on your soaking shoes. Leave them overnight, and in the morning, the nail will be discolored, softened, and should fall right off with little effort.
Toilet paper and water foot bath
This is one of the easiest and most painless methods of nail removal. All you need to do is soak your foot in a bucket of warm water for 15-20 minutes, then try to use a toilet paper roll to remove the dead, dry nail.
Acetone product soak
One of the easiest and fastest ways to remove a dead toenail is soaking it in acetone. Acetone is one of the most commonly found acetone nail polish removers and has been used for years to help people remove their nails. One way you can use acetone to remove your dead nail is by pouring some acetone into a bowl and soaking your toe in that bowl for up to 10 minutes at a time every day. This will help soften the nail and make it easier to scrape out. If you don’t have acetone, rubbing alcohol will work just as well.
Cold waxing method
This method is actually the easiest way to remove a dead nail. The cold waxing method is simple and fast, consisting of two steps: – Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel on your nails and hands before dipping your toe into a pot of hot water – Once your foot is dipped in hot water for about 10 seconds, dip it into an ice bath for about 15 seconds – Once you have removed the wax from the dead nail, use a pumice stone or sandpaper to remove the remaining part of the nail from the skin. This also works well in removing dead skin from the area. You can also use a cotton ball to apply pressure on top of your toes while you are scrubbing away at them.
FAQ’s
How long will it take to heal after getting a toenail removed?
It takes approximately six weeks for toenails to grow back after they break off. The recovery time for toenail removal depends on the strength of the toenail and nail types.
Can you remove a dead toenail at home?
The easiest way to remove your dead toenail is by having it professionally removed. If you have the time and patience, you can remove a dead toenail using a grinder and tweezers after medical advice.
What do you do with a dead toenail?
Once the nail is removed, you can simply dispose of it in a waste can. Some people prefer to flush it down the drain or toilet with simple words of respect and thankfulness.
How do podiatrists remove toenails?
Some podiatrists cauterize the toenail to stop the bleeding. Others soak the nail until it grows out.
Before cutting, they will numb the toe again with no pain medication and then cut it off. Then they will give you an injection that is a local anesthetic and anesthesia (they will tell you if they want you to even worry about an after a bite or anything like that).
When should a toenail be removed?
Removing the toenail after the excess has been removed from the nail bed (called “bumping”) is best. This will help prevent the quick formation of a depression in the nail that can lead to infection. As soon as you figure out dead or discolored toenails, consult a healthcare professional. If you remove a toenail for medical reasons, such as a damaged nail or callus on the toe, you may wish to remove the nail as close to the original shape as possible.