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Ingrown Toenail

TheSnowman

TheSnowman

New Member
Ok guys...I'm lookin' for solutions here. I usually have an ingrown toenail on one foot or another every other month or so that requires "attention". It's really not a big deal to me, because I have delt with it before, and it's just a matter of soaking my foot, or shoving something under the toenail. This time...I cut along the side of it, and was going to try to pull the nail out, but I just can't get a hold of it to rip it out of there, even after soaking 20 minutes in Epsom salt.

Here's my question. I read a LOT on google about people that just had the nail cut out, and they never have any problems ever again, but I can't even imagine the pain from that right now, and I'm trying to decide if that is the way to go or not. The toe is barely red right now, but it's just enough to be annoying me when I'm laying in bed at night, and the sheets touch it.

Anyone have advice that they've gotten good results with?
 
7

7oaks

New Member
Go find you a podiatrist. He will remove the part of the nail that is causing the trouble and kill only that part of the nail bed. As a result, you will have a nail on top of the toe and no more pain or infection. If you keep cutting on it you will one day have a big problem

I had both big toes done this way and it was painless. The anesthetic was injected using a cold spray. I drove home 40 miles followed his instructions and worked 12 hours the next day.

Ken
 
F

Finishline Signs

New Member
I had to have my big toe nail cut out by a doctor 1 1/2 years ago. It healed up fine but grew back in after 1 year. I continued to cut it out myself for the next 6 months until I got tired of dealing with it. Two months ago I went and had my toe nail removed completely and had the nails killed so it will never grow back. The procedure was not painfull although the first time I had the doctor cut it out I felt everything. I have talked to other people who have had this done and it was about 50/50 as to who said it hurt and who said it didn't. If you have any other questions let me know. I would be happy to give you any information I can.
 
Joe Diaz

Joe Diaz

New Member
I used to have them in high school. In fact, I played a whole season of football with one on each big toe. THAT was painful, especially during practices because our practice field was so torn up by the end of the season.

My solution since then has been to keep my toenails long and get shoes with plenty of toe room. Got to love those Adidas. It's not pretty with the extra long nails, but it does the trick. I haven't had one in years.
 
TheSnowman

TheSnowman

New Member
I like having short toenails. I think I may see if I can save this last one, then just grow them out so they are long, and see how that goes, then if I still have trouble, forget it and go to the doctor. However, I may end up there by the end of the week either way if I can figure out how to cure it this one last time before I give up.
 
James Burke

James Burke

Being a grandpa is more fun than working
I have trouble with ingrown tonails quite often, and I've learned to take care of them myself. If you're not too squeemish, then read on.

I like to use a dental pick to gently lift out the troublesome nail. I soak my foot in warm water (with epsom salt) for about a half hour first. It softens the nail so it's very pliable and cooperative.

I work the pick under the side of the nail, and gently lift it out from under the skin where it's been growing. Only a thin sliver of the offending nail is removed....nothing more. Done correctly, it is virtually painless and the relief is immediate. Sometimes I will soak my foot in epsom salts afterwards. I've been doing it this way for over fifteen years now and have never gotten an infection. The secret is attending to them as soon as you first start to feel it. If doctors did it this way they could save people big bucks...but I guess they have a good thing going.

If you're diabetic, then by all means, go to a doctor. You don't want to risk getting an infection.
 

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petesign

petesign

New Member
I used to have that problem too, but have found that if i keep them a little longer, and cut "square" they don't bother me as much. I do have one toenail that is split down the middle though, and it drives me nuts. How it happened, I don't know, I noticed it about a year ago, and it hasn't grown back together yet (the new stuff just splits like the old). *shudder*
 
B-RAD Graphics

B-RAD Graphics

New Member
Have u ever tried to cut a wedge/triangle out of center of nail. This takes pressure off the sides..my son had it real bad and we have been doing this and has seemed to help it grow out and stay normal..:thumb:
 
MikePro

MikePro

New Member
my mom's had 3 of her toenails cut out for the same reasons, she said it was easy and painless (minus the needles going into your foot)

still tho'... OUCH! I've cut off half a finger on multiple occasions and took it like a man, but TOE pain makes me want to cry. Just thinking of it makes me want a cigarette now.
 
TheSnowman

TheSnowman

New Member
You guys are brutal. I don't think I'm that flexible to chew them anyway! I about fell over trying to stand up after curling up holding my foot for 10 minutes last night. That dental tool is just what I need!

I talked to a friend about it this morning. He said he got them a lot, had the surgery, and been good ever since on that toe. He said it was about 10 - 15 seconds of pain, but it's worth it to get it over with for years.
 
sfr table hockey

sfr table hockey

New Member
B-RAD Graphics said:
Have u ever tried to cut a wedge/triangle out of center of nail. This takes pressure off the sides..my son had it real bad and we have been doing this and has seemed to help it grow out and stay normal..:thumb:
Click to expand...

This is also what I would recommend.

I had a wedge cut out (the grown in side) of my toe when I was a teen. With freezing you did not feel a thing but once freezing had worn off.... some throbbing pain for a day or so, but not anywhere near the pain it was in before that.

Again cut the "v" wedge out in the middle and that will help.
 
James Burke

James Burke

Being a grandpa is more fun than working
Again cut the "v" wedge out in the middle and that will help.
Click to expand...

I tried that trick, but it didn't work...it might work better as a preventive maintenence kind of thing...before the pain begins.
 
Pat Whatley

Pat Whatley

New Member
I tried wedges, leaving them long, and some ridiculous tape/brace contraption a podiatrist tried for years. My big toes would get ingrown to the point I could barely walk and if I bumped something with my foot I'd literally scream in pain. Podiatrist after podiatrist would just trim the nail which relieved it until the nail grew a little.

Finally I caved in and got the surgery. They went in, cut out about 10% of the nail on both sides of one toe and killed the nail bed there. That one looks great and I've never had another problem. The other nail they removed completely but it grew back. Funny thing is that it's not attached to the skin underneath. It looks normal, it's sturdy, it's just sitting on top.

There really wasn't that much pain from the procedure. I had to wear sandals with plywood bottoms for a couple of days to keep me from flexing my toes and got Lortabs for pain. I think I only took three of the ten they gave me. I'd do the surgery again in a heartbeat.
 
skyhigh

skyhigh

New Member
this goes way beyond "General ChitChat". :doh:

My suggestion is to "man-up", grab your xacto knife and take care of the problem.

:ROFLMAO:
 
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