INGROWN TOENAIL?

Lindsays Grandma · ‎03-10-2010

I know that on my left foot, the big toe has an ingrown nail. If you have had experience with that will you please tell me your experience with surgery? I have so much pain everyday from other sources, the toe does not hurt, but I don't think I can take anymore pain if I can avoid it. Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

The moving finger writes; And having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears Wash out a Word of it. Omar Khayam

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

Years ago I had trouble with a reoccurring ingrown big toenail. I went to a podiatrist and he somehow "killed" the edge of the bed for that nail and I've never had another ingrown toenail. It has been over 30 years ago so I don't remember a lot about it. It doesn't affect the appearance of the nail.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Lindsays Grandma · ‎03-10-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
Years ago I had trouble with a reoccurring ingrown big toenail. I went to a podiatrist and he somehow "killed" the edge of the bed for that nail and I've never had another ingrown toenail. It has been over 30 years ago so I don't remember a lot about it. It doesn't affect the appearance of the nail.

I guess it is that I have visions of a doctor saying they have cut it out which means surgery. I know, I'm being a baby, first time in my life after having so many surgeries.

The moving finger writes; And having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears Wash out a Word of it. Omar Khayam

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

@Lindsays Grandma

I know how you feel. I had a recurring one awhile ago too and finally went to a podiatrist who talked about that surgery-removing the nail if I wanted and would never have to worry about it again.

I think I remember him saying it wasn't a big deal but I have a friend who just had it done and she said its very painful afterwards.

He said to always cut them where the middle is lower than the sides and he cut them while I was there.

The most successful thing I did was use vicks vapo rub (generic ok) and glob it or neosporin or polysporin on with a bandaid until it grew out and healed. Now I am very careful to just cut straight across.

Also I would soak it in hot water and gently pull up the corner with one of those plastic nail things.

So I don't really have them anymore. (I never opted for the surgery either, had too many already!).

I know they can be so painful!

edited to ad-the podiatrist did say they can grow back (so not have to worry about it again isn't totally accurate!)

It's encouraging to know @J Town Girl,

your experience and that it wasn't painful.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

I had one a long time ago. I soaked my foot in epsom salts twice a day and worked a nail file to lift the ingrown part while the nail was still soft from soaking. Then put vasoline on it to keep it soft. I was too chicken to have my nail removed.

J Town Girl · ‎06-13-2011

I just had that toenail procedure on my right toe 6 weeks ago. The nail was constantly growing into the side of my great toe. My nail artist would try to cut it out as best she could but within a few weeks, it would grow back. It really hurt quite a bit.

I made an appointment with a Podiatrist and she explained the procedure to me. I went back within the week and had it done. I was expecting some discomfort both during and afterward but there was absolutely nothing that was unpleasant. The doctor totally numbed my foot and cut the nail away then she applied an acid that completely destroyed the nail matrix. She explained that in 85% of the cases the nail will never grow back. For that 15 % of the cases, they just do the procedure again.

The morning I went into her office for the procedure she told me she had already done the same procedure on three other people before me. The whole procedure took less than 15 minutes.

There is no deformity to your nail because they just cut away a very small section on both sides of your toe. Unless you look very closely you don't even notice the nail looks different. You will have to keep it covered for a few days and you have to soak your foot in Epson salt 3-4 times a day for 5-7 days then you reduce it to 2-3 times a day for just a few more days. That was the only part that became a little tedious.

I thought that maybe my foot might throb or be painful the first night but I never had any discomfort. I only had the problem with my right foot but if sometime in the future my left foot starts to bother me I will not even hesitate to have the procedure done on that nail.

The Podiatrist explained that as we grow older our nails get thicker and it is very common to have a problem with ingrown toenails.

I am so happy that I had it done because my foot is totally pain-free and I was just cleared to have a pedicure. I had it done on Monday and it was such a joy to not have the nail artist dig around my toe to remove the ingrown nail. I could enjoy the pedi the way it was meant to be. For pampering and relaxation!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Lindsays Grandma To be perfectly clear, I did not have my nail removed.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@Lindsays Grandma

I had the nail on my left big toe removed. It was about 2 months ago, and after many different attempts to correct it by my Orthopedic Foot Specialist.

My only concern about having the surgery was: "Will I be able to still get my foot in my ice skate"? He wasn't sure, but I had the surgery on a Thursday and skated on Friday. He told me "if you can handle the pain, no damage will be done". That was all I needed to hear.

Pain? Wasn't the most pleasant experience shoving my foot into my skate, but it did not effect my skating. Walking however? I limped into the rink and limped out, and everywhere I walked. Took about 2 weeks before I could walk without some discomfort.

That's my experience, my best to you with this.

hckynut

hckynut(john)

gidgetgh · ‎03-09-2010

@Lindsays Grandma wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
Years ago I had trouble with a reoccurring ingrown big toenail. I went to a podiatrist and he somehow "killed" the edge of the bed for that nail and I've never had another ingrown toenail. It has been over 30 years ago so I don't remember a lot about it. It doesn't affect the appearance of the nail.
I guess it is that I have visions of a doctor saying they have cut it out which means surgery. I know, I'm being a baby, first time in my life after having so many surgeries.

@Lindsays Grandma -I’ve also had this done, on the big toe on both feet. I know you’re apprehensive, but it’s really no big deal. It’s over quickly. You don’t feel anything and the ingrown toenail never bothers you again.

My left one hurt so badly that when I got to the podiatrist and he offered this I said heck yeah and he did it right then. He numbed the toe and before I knew it, he was done.

I consider it a “procedure”, not surgery.

Why is it, when I have a 50/50 guess at something, I'm always 100% wrong?

PinkyPetunia · ‎03-09-2010

Go to a foot Dr. and have it treated. It is no big deal. My son had this procedure done several times when he played lots of basketball. Quick recovery and the problem doesn't come back. The toe is numbed with injections first. That may be the worst part.