ingrown toenail

[asian010]

anyone here every get a ingrown toenail? if so wut did u do about it. if u got the surgery how was it.

im scared i might have a ingrown toenail. last year i dropped a ice skate on my toe which caused my toenail to fall off and a new one to grow. i scared the new one growing is ingrown on the right side.

[Neurorad]

I agree. It may be 'ingrown'.

[EOE90]

i get ingrown toenails almost every three weeks, im almost a pro at getting them out but it seems that i need to visit the doc every now and again to get rid of them. they say you can get a procedure that stops them from growing ingrown but they sad the downtime would be like 1 month, so i said fu#k it

[Asiann]

When I was a medic we use to cut the length of the nail about a 1/4 of it. Lidocain was used to numb the toe. That was the work part for most since that involved sticking a large needle into both sides of the toe to block the nerve endings so that I could cut the nail. Sounds worse than it is but takes maybe 5-10 minutes. Ingrowns can be avoided by wearing proper shoes and cutting the nail straight across rather than curved.

[BMdblU]

Originally Posted by asian010

anyone here every get a ingrown toenail? if so wut did u do about it. if u got the surgery how was it.

im scared i might have a ingrown toenail. last year i dropped a ice skate on my toe which caused my toenail to fall off and a new one to grow. i scared the new one growing is ingrown on the right side.

I've lost my big toenail every winter the past 2 years from skiing. Just watch it closely and get a couple pedicures. She will make sure it grows in properly.

[wj4]

Originally Posted by Asiann

When I was a medic we use to cut the length of the nail about a 1/4 of it. Lidocain was used to numb the toe. That was the work part for most since that involved sticking a large needle into both sides of the toe to block the nerve endings so that I could cut the nail. Sounds worse than it is but takes maybe 5-10 minutes. Ingrowns can be avoided by wearing proper shoes and cutting the nail straight across rather than curved.

I've heard of this before, but how do you cut the nails straight when your toes are rounded?

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by wj4

I've heard of this before, but how do you cut the nails straight when your toes are rounded?

Easily. Just cut it straight. As in, leave more white on the edges of the toe. This way it grows forward (out) instead of sideways.

[asian010]

are there any alternatives to cutting if its not serious?

[its ray den]

when i get signs of an ingrown toe nail, i would tear off a small piece of cotton from a cotton ball or a swab, and shove it between the nail and my flesh in the area where it was growing in. do it for a couple days and you will be pain free.

[ronushi]

You dont feel nothing as the doctor will numb it, but after you go to take out your stitches and that depends if you needed or not. I had a couple stitches and that shit hurts alot but its not that bad. You gotta take it like a man

[Asiann]

Stitches? For what? We never used stitches and you just had it wrapped and wear tennis shoes. Alternative-As your nail grows you can take a pocket knife of whatever and make sure to keep the nail from digging into the sides unless it is infected (red, swollen and puss)in which you have no choice but to cut the nail. Your nail actually grows beyond the cuticle another 1/4 inch or so.

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by Asiann

When I was a medic we use to cut the length of the nail about a 1/4 of it. Lidocain was used to numb the toe. That was the work part for most since that involved sticking a large needle into both sides of the toe to block the nerve endings so that I could cut the nail. Sounds worse than it is but takes maybe 5-10 minutes. Ingrowns can be avoided by wearing proper shoes and cutting the nail straight across rather than curved.

I had this done for a bad ingrown nail years ago. Not a pleasant experience, I can tell you.

[UncleWede]

Mine swells a bit on the edge. Painful for a day or two, then the puss builds. I keep pulling the skin away from the nail until it pops like a big old zit, then squeeze out all the puss and use alcohol and/or peroxide. the peroxide works best as it tends to bubble up the infection. About a week later there is a pocket of dead skin that I peel away and things are all fresh again. Happens both fingers and toes.

[ideliver]

Originally Posted by wj4

I've heard of this before, but how do you cut the nails straight when your toes are rounded?

the clippers on the left are for toes...cuts the nails straight so that the edges grow past the toe (like the middle of the nail does)

[GuyOh]

i had pretty serious ingrown tow nail that kept causing me to bleed, and i went to the doctor and got refered to a specialist and they did the procedure of cutting it or whatever the hell they did to it, and ever since, my toe nail hasn't bugged me again

[solefald]

Originally Posted by GuyOh

i had pretty serious ingrown tow nail that kept causing me to bleed, and i went to the doctor and got refered to a specialist and they did the procedure of cutting it or whatever the hell they did to it, and ever since, my toe nail hasn't bugged me again

same here. i used to get 1 ingrown all the freaking time no matter what i did.
had to go to the doctor and 1/4 of the nail removed. all good since then. funny thing is that they put no bandages or anything like that on. they said it will heal without any cremes, ointments or meds/

[Asiann]

See it works. I remember hearing something about a one time treatment to get rid of the ingrown but can't remember.

[Asiann]

FYI

What is an Ingrown Toenail?
When a toenail is ingrown, the nail is curved downward and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.

If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. However, even if your toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.
ingrown toenail


What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?
Ingrown toenails can develop for various reasons. In many people, the tendency to have this common disorder is inherited. In other cases, an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running.

The most common cause of ingrown toenails is improper trimming. Cutting your nails too short encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail. Another cause of ingrown toenails is wearing shoes that are tight or short.

Certain nail conditions are often associated with ingrown toenails. For example, if you have had a toenail fungal infection or if you have lost a nail through trauma, you are at greater risk for developing an ingrown toenail.ingrown toenail

Treatment
Sometimes initial treatment for ingrown toenails can be safely performed at home. However, home treatment is strongly discouraged if you suspect you have an infection, or if you have a medical condition that puts your feet at high risk—for example, diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, or poor circulation.

Home care:
If you don’t have an infection or any of the above conditions, you can soak your foot in room-temperature water (add Epsom’s salt if you wish), and gently massage the side of the nail fold to help reduce the inflammation.

Avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon.


Physician care:
The foot and ankle surgeon will examine your toe and select the treatment best suited for you. Treatment may include:

* Oral antibiotics. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.
* Surgery. A simple procedure, often performed in the office, is commonly needed to ease the pain and remove the offending nail. Surgery may involve numbing the toe and removing a corner of the nail, a larger portion of the nail, or the entire nail.
* Permanent removal. Various techniques may be used to destroy or remove the nail root. This treatment prevents the recurrence of an ingrown toenail. Your foot and ankle surgeon will determine the most appropriate procedure for you.

Following nail surgery, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little pain after surgery and may resume normal activity the next day. If your foot and ankle surgeon has prescribed an oral antibiotic, be sure to take all the medication, even if your symptoms have improved.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Many cases of ingrown toenails may be prevented by following these two important tips:

* Trim your nails properly. Cut your toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. You should be able to get your fingernail under the sides and end of the nail.
* Avoid poorly-fitting shoes. Don’t wear shoes that are short or tight in the toe box. Also avoid shoes that are loose, because they too cause pressure on the toes, especially when you run or walk briskly.


The Truths About Home Treatment

Myth: Cutting a notch (a “V”) in the nail will reduce the tendency for the nail to curve downward.


Truth: Cutting a “V” does not affect the growth of the toenail. New nail growth will continue to
curve downward.

Myth: Repeated trimming of the nail
borders is a good way to treat ingrown toenails.


Truth: Repeated nail trimming fails to correct future nail growth and can make the condition worse.

Myth: Cotton placed under the nail will relieve the pain.


Truth: Cotton placed under the nail can be harmful. It can easily harbor bacteria and encourage infection.

Myth: You can buy effective ingrown
toenail treatments at the drug store.


Truth: Over-the-counter topical medications may mask the pain, but they fail to address the underlying problem.

[SoYank]

I had ingrown toenails on both my big toes accompanied by fungal infection. The podiatrist first tried trimming the edges back to the quick but this failed. I was given the option of trying it again with a less than 50% expected success or removal of the complete nail with chemical destruction of the nail bed. I took the latter option and without a nail on the toe I can never have another ingrown toenail there. It's been done on both feet and I'd consider having it done to the rest of my toes as well. The worst part was when drops of water hit the toe in the shower until the nailbed healed completely (about six months).

[DougLikesBMW]

Originally Posted by SoYank

I had ingrown toenails on both my big toes accompanied by fungal infection. The podiatrist first tried trimming the edges back to the quick but this failed. I was given the option of trying it again with a less than 50% expected success or removal of the complete nail with chemical destruction of the nail bed. I took the latter option and without a nail on the toe I can never have another ingrown toenail there. It's been done on both feet and I'd consider having it done to the rest of my toes as well. The worst part was when drops of water hit the toe in the shower until the nailbed healed completely (about six months).

Consider having it done to all toes? You are crazy as hell! That's creepy...

[rlb]

Originally Posted by asian010

anyone here every get a ingrown toenail? if so wut did u do about it. if u got the surgery how was it.

im scared i might have a ingrown toenail. last year i dropped a ice skate on my toe which caused my toenail to fall off and a new one to grow. i scared the new one growing is ingrown on the right side.

You will know if you have an ingrown toenail because it will be painful, red, or swollen. An injury to the nail(ice skate) can damage the root and cause the nail to grow abnormaly. You may continue to get ingrown nails more frequently because of this. If that is the case I would suggest getting the permanent procedure(phenol).
The procedure to treat an ingrown toenail is pretty basic. You can do the procedure either permanently or non-permanently. The procedures are essentially the same except that in the permanent procedure you kill the root of the nail with phenol so the nail does not grow back anymore. Both procedures require an injection of novocaine at the base of the toe to numb it. After that, approximately 2-3mm of nail along the border is removed all the way back to the root. The root is either "killed" or not and then neosporin and bandage is applied. You will need to soak the toe in luke warm water and epsom salt 1-2x a day for about 3-4 weeks. You should only have mild soreness, which is usually relieved with motrin/tylenol, anywhere from a day to a week. The soreness really should not require you to be out of work or restrict your activities.

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by DougLikesBMW

Consider having it done to all toes? You are crazy as hell! That's creepy...

Why do you say that? I don't need to paint my toenails. I don't even need my toenails.