1 Soak your sore toe in warm water for 15 minutes 2 to 3 times each day. 2  Wedge a small piece of wet cotton, such as part of a cotton ball, under the corner of your ingrown nail. 3  This will help lift the nail off of the skin. 4  Soak your toe and change the piece of cotton each day until the nail grows out and can be trimmed.