Ingrown toenail treatment method

Abstract

A method for treating an ingrown toenail by providing a smooth surface on the lateral edge of the damaged/sharpened nail and isolating the lateral nail bed, i.e., the cuticle, from the sharpened nail, thereby aborting the cycle of mutual damage that occurs when an ingrown toenail causes inflammation on the flesh portion at the side or under the toenail which in turn then further dissolves the nail edge and sharpen it, which in turn then causes further damage and inflammation. By ceasing this cycle, the sufferer of the ingrown toenail feels immediate pain relief while the toenail heals itself by means of isolation of the cuticle from the sharpened portion of the nail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a toe affected with an ingrown toenail.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of an affected toe soaked in antiseptic solution-mixed warm water to soften it.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an affected toe being treated with an antiseptic solution using a cotton ball and a toothpick.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shape of a protecting gutter, and shows how the protecting gutter covers up the lateral edge of the damaged and sharpened nail.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an affected toe with a finger pushing the affected flesh portion of the toe outward and two fingers of the other hand insert the protecting gutter to the lateral edge of the damaged toenail

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an affected toe with the protecting gutter inserted and the liquid bonding agent applied to the affected area.

FIG. 7 briefly illustrates a front view of a normal toe and toenail

FIG. 8 briefly illustrates a front view of a toe with an ingrown toenail

FIG. 9 briefly illustrates a front view of a toe with an ingrown toenail that has been treated with protecting gutter and bonding agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ENABLING AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For a better understanding of the invention, we turn now to the drawings. FIG. 1 offers a visual understanding of how an ingrown toenail appears to the eye. The toe 1 has a nail 2 that has a portion 3 that is cutting into the flesh of the skin and creating an infection. To treat this condition, first the toe 1 is soaked in antiseptic solution-mixed warm water to soften it, cleaned with soap and water, rinsed and then dried. FIG. 3 shows the toe 1 that being disinfected on the side and the underneath of the ingrown toenail 3 through the application of an antiseptic solution that is absorbed into a small piece of cotton ball 5. The cotton ball 5 is then guided with a toothpick 4 to the affected area 3.

FIG. 4 shows the brief shape of a protecting gutter 6 that is made out of soft plastic material for comfortable feeling and has U-shaped cross section in order to wrap up the damaged edge of ingrown toenail, and shows how the said protecting gutter covers up the lateral edge of the damaged nail.

FIG. 5 shows the use of a finger 7 to push the damaged flesh part of the affected toe outward while two fingers 8 and 9 from the other hand gently insert the protecting gutter to the lateral edge of the damaged toenail.

FIG. 6 shows where the liquid bonding agent 10 has been applied to the damaged area.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims, as those skilled in the art will make modifications to the invention for particular uses.

Claims

1. A method for treating an ingrown toenail comprising soaking a toe suffering from an ingrown toenail in antiseptic solution-mixed warm water for a sufficient amount of time to soften said toe;washing said toe with a soap and clean water;drying said toe after said washing;soaking an antiseptic solution onto an absorbent means;applying said antiseptic solution-soaked absorbent means through the use of a guiding means to said toe, applying said antiseptic solution over the entirety of said toenail;gently pushing the damaged flesh part at the side of the said ingrown toenail outward with a pushing means;inserting a protecting gutter to the side of said ingrown toenail to cover the damaged and sharpened edge of the said ingrown toenail;applying a bonding means to cover the entire affected area of said toenail, coating the underneath and side of said ingrown toenail;allowing said bonding means to dry;trimming off the outer part of the said protecting gutter that is sticking out from the treated toenail area;continuing to wash said toenail daily and applying said antiseptic solution until said toenail has grown to a sufficient length to be clipped off and discarded;re-applying said bonding agent as needed until the said toenail grows sufficiently so that healthy new toenail replaces the said ingrown toenail;

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said toe is soaked in antiseptic solution-mixed warm water for ten minutes at the first step.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said toe is washed with soap and clean water.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said toe is dried using a towel.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said absorbent means is a cotton ball.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said guiding means is a toothpick.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said pushing means is a finger.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said protecting gutter is a small piece of plastic stick that has U-shaped cross section and is made out of soft plastic material.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the said bonding means is any bonding agent that can bond onto the human toenail. A non-toxic fast drying liquid bonding agent is preferred for the said bonding means, however it does not limit usage of any other type of bonding agent.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said bonding agent is dried at room temperature.