Ick. Christian has an ingrown toenail

[minkydog]

I won't go into the gory details, but it's nasty. About 2 weeks ago, DH cut Christians toenails deep into the corners I usually cut them straight across and just trim the edges a little. Apparently he left a "spur" which punctured the skin. I managed to get the spur off last week(*after Christian started limping, poor boy) but it has never gotten quite right. Then tonight it's pretty red and swollen and nasty. It's very painful to touch. I guess I know where we'll be going tomorrow

 

[Sparx]

it might be a good idea to have his toenail removed. to prevent this from happening in the future. if it grows in once, its hard to keep it from doing it again.

 

[Stacerita]

They don't have to remove the whole nail. Just down the side to the "root" where they "freeze" it and it won't grow back. Happened to me a few years ago. Not fun. But never had any problems with it since.

 

[minkydog]

Would you take him to the pediatrician? He's 14, severely mentally handicapped (in other words, uncooperative.)

 

[ZanneMarie]

My daughters first sick child appointment was at 10 mos when she had an ingrown toenail! I took her to her pediatrician. They gave me an antibiotic, reminded me to trim straight across and we went on our way. Infection cleared and 6 years later she has not had another one.

I had them repeatedly as a teen and had the surgery to remove the quick (growing part of the nail ) on the sides that got ingrown regularly. Had to have the surgery twice and now I have strange looking toenails but never another ingrown one!

 

[starrzone]

This happened to me when I was a few years older than your son; the doctor said ingrown toenails are particularly common in teens for some reason.

I had the whole nail surgically removed in the summer of 2000, and I have NEVER experienced anything more painful. They injected an anesthetic right into my toe with a needle...and it HURT. After that, the toe was completely numb and I didn't even know the nail was gone. The nail was pretty well grown in just over a year later, but get this...the problem came back. Yup, it got ingrown again!

I finally went to a podiatrist, and he dug out the edge of the nail on both sides of the problem toe. Within a couple weeks, my toe was fine and I've never had a problem with it since. You mentioned that your son has some disabilities; does he mind people touching his feet? I know that it can be a very sensitive area on some people. If you can find a way to calm him for a half hour or so, I would definitely go with the "dig out" option, NOT removal of the entire nail. Good luck!

 

[Stacerita]

Would you take him to the pediatrician? He's 14, severely mentally handicapped (in other words, uncooperative.)

Im not sure what to do in this case. When I had my issue, I went to my family physician, he took one look, went "ewww" and sent me on my way to the podiatrist. If you think he can handle it, I would take him to the podiatrist. They are more specialized when it comes to this type of issue.

 

[golfgal]

Would you take him to the pediatrician? He's 14, severely mentally handicapped (in other words, uncooperative.)

No, if you can, soak his foot in warm, soapy water a few times today, then put some antibiotic cream/ointment on the toe and wrap it in a band-aid. It will be gone in a day or two. Even if you can't get him to soak it the antibiotic cream will take care of it. DS17 had a history of getting infected toenails from cutting back his toe nails too far. A couple years ago at band camp he ended up with one that was SEVERELY infected-swollen to about 3 times it's normal size, etc. That one took major antibiotics to clear up but he learned his lesson and hasn't had one since.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I had an infected ingrown toenail and 2 weeks ago I had part of that toenail removed. It wasn't much fun, but I'm healing OK. If it's both ingrown and infected, a partial toenail removal might be what the doctor will recommend. I had antibiotics but only the partial removal helped clear the infection. You can try the soaking to see if that'll help, but if you don't see an improvement soon then it's time to see the doctor because sadly that toe is probably in a lot of pain right now.

I hope it goes well. Perhaps your pediatrician can recommend a podiatrist who is easy-going and gentle and one that can put your ds at ease.

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

I've had two cases of this, one on each big toenail and both times I've had part of my toenail removed. The old procedure was to take out the entire nail but please don't go that way. My father had that done more than once and it kept happening, not to mention it was very painful.

As a PP mentioned they just cut the ingrown part and make sure the nail won't curve inside anymore.

OP, it keeps happening to me but I always catch it up. It is being said that some people have a genetic predisposition to it and as I told you my father had it and so do I.

It is really important that you make sure your son cuts your toenails square, never round because that enables them to grow inwards. Good shoes are also a major factor! If the shoes are pointy and round and his toenails are squeezed it is very likely that the will grow inwards.

Consult your doctor, I'm sure he'll give you some great points. It really is preventable!

to you and your son!

 

[bballmom56]

I would take him to a podiatrist. They are the experts on this. If it is truly ingrown and infected, the piece that is ingrown needs to be removed (NOT the whole nail). Then follow the doctor's directions for aftercare - usually involves soaking with epsom salts a few times a day, antibiotic cream and an oral antibiotic. My DS has gone through this twice, it healed well and has not happened again. DH just had it done about about 6-8 weeks ago, did not follow the doctor's aftercare directions and is still dealing with it (I am trying to get him to go back to the doctor).

DD worked in a group home for our local ARC and the residents routinely went to a podiatrist for their routine foot and toenail care. If you have a local ARC, maybe you can contact them for a recommendation for a podiatrist who will understand your son's issues.

 

[DreaminDisney]

awe ouch! what about taking him to podiatrist or maybe calling his pediatrician and asking what you should do.

 

[minkydog]

Well, I couldn't get him into a podiatrist today and it looks so painful, I just had to do something so I call his ped. She saw him late this afternoone. The big toe is angry and puffy, but it seems to be a little less painful tonight. I was able to relieve some of the infection last night(gently!) The ped put him on Biaxin,plus bactroban for the toe. I got him some Epsom salts--he doesn't get the concept of foot soaking, so we just put in in the bathtub with his salts and let him splash around *a bit like an orca whale * I'll give it a week. If it's not looking remarkabley better by Monday I'll call a podiatrist. Of course, if it looks worse before then I'll be doing something sooner.

On the bright side, his ped just got a shipment of H1N1 flu shots! So we got that taken care of. One kid down, one to go! Now if we adults could just find some.