• Trim your nail carefully, making sure it’s straight and not curved, without pointed parts at the edges. Curved toenails are more likely to become ingrown.

• Use tweezers to gently push a cotton ball in the ingrown area, so that it raises the nail, preventing it from growing back into the toe.
• Replace the cotton daily to prevent further infection. 

• If the toe is already infected, use an infection-preventing ointment (such as Neosporin) on the infected area and bandage it. Avoid wearing socks or shoes when you’re home, because the area needs to breathe.

• By placing a thin slice of lemon on the toe and wrapping it in gauze overnight, you allow the lemon’s natural acidity to kill off any infection.

• Use Tea Tree oil or baby oil on the affected area to soften the toenail, which will reduce any pain when wearing shoes by lowering the pressure put on the nail. 

Prevention:

• Always trim your toenails, preferably every 2-3 weeks.
• Avoid pedicures while suffering from an ingrown toenail – it may lead to a full-blown infection.
• Don’t wear shoes that are too tight.

Warnings:

• If the toe is infected and swollen with pus around it, see a doctor.
• Do not remove the cuticles from your toes if you suffer from ingrown toenails.

Source: wikihow

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