★★★★★
From the book: Medical Council – A Monthly Journal for the Physican and Surgeon. Volume 129, p. 151. 1910
Free application of dried powdered alum is sufficient to cure every case of ingrowing nail in about five days. The applications are never painful in the least, and the destruction of the pathologic tissue results in the formation of a hard, resistant and non-sensitive bed for the nail, a perfect cure for the ingrowing tendency. The non-toxicity of the alum, its easy application, and the good results render it the treatment of choice for cases in which surgical intervention is not contemplated. A fomentation of soap and water is applied for twenty-four hours beforehand, and then the alum is applied in the space between the nail and its bed, tamponing with cotton to keep the alum in place, and repeating the application daily. The suppuration rapidly dries up, and pain and discomfort are relieved almost at once.
