INgrown toenail, ouch!

[mafibisha]

THanks all for the replies and stories. Sorry so many of you have also had this! Its always something, isn't it? LOL

Well I made an appointment with the Podiatrist. Here's hoping LOL

 

[lurkernj]

My DS18 has had these for over a year. I think he's been to the podiatrist at least 5 times to have them removed (from the same toe). Finally over thanksgiving weekend I took him and they cauterized it with some liquid (I'm assuming it was some sort of acid). He was so happy to not have to deal with this anymore.

They do numb the toe before any of this stuff, and the needle hurts worse than the rest of the procedures, but he always feels so much better immediately afterwards.

 

[My3Princez]

I had one that kept getting ingrown and my podiatrist said the next time it happened he could kill that part of my nail bed to end it once and for all. I haven't had a problem since

This was my experience to. 11 years ago, and no problems since.

 

[mafibisha]

My DS18 has had these for over a year. I think he's been to the podiatrist at least 5 times to have them removed (from the same toe). Finally over thanksgiving weekend I took him and they cauterized it with some liquid (I'm assuming it was some sort of acid). He was so happy to not have to deal with this anymore.

They do numb the toe before any of this stuff, and the needle hurts worse than the rest of the procedures, but he always feels so much better immediately afterwards.

This was my experience to. 11 years ago, and no problems since.

Is that done instead of removing the entire nail? (eeks!)

Also, will I be able to wear my regular shoe home from the Podiatrist?

Will I be able to drive myself home?

 

[My3Princez]

1)Is that done instead of removing the entire nail? (eeks!)

2)Also, will I be able to wear my regular shoe home from the Podiatrist?

3)Will I be able to drive myself home?

In my experience:
1) Yes.
2) No.
3) Not if it's your right foot.

 

[mafibisha]

In my experience:
1) Yes.
2) No.
3) Not if it's your right foot.

Thanks for the reply.

So.. what do I wear home in the snow? And how long will I not be able to wear my regular shoes?

Ahhh, I just don't have time for this

 

[Ginny Favers]

I agree to go to the podiatrist. I had a toenail turn black and fall off because I am a runner, and the new one that grew in was ingrown and infected. The experience was so simple that I barely remember it.

 

[My3Princez]

Thanks for the reply.

So.. what do I wear home in the snow? And how long will I not be able to wear my regular shoes?

Ahhh, I just don't have time for this

I couldn't wear a shoe because of the bandage. Think this (not mine, just grabbed it off image search):

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I've had to had them cut out several times, about 15 years ago. I had them chronically. When the cut out the side of the nail where the infection was, they killed it so it wouldn't grow back. That worked on one of my big toes but not the other. One of my toes it continues to grow back, on it's own. As in, it's not connected and it's own little sliver of a nail. It's a nuisance but I don't get them anymore.

We did try to take care of them ourselves at home, didn't work for use.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

What I have done is soaked my toe overnight. I took a sandwich baggie. cut the corner of the bag off. Take a make-up pad and soak in vinegar and place the pad on the toe nail. Place your toe in the baggie and secure the baggie with some tape. Just don't tape it too tight. In the morning the nail will and skin will be soft. The longer you leave it on the softer it will be. Then I was able to trim the nail

 

[lurkernj]

Is that done instead of removing the entire nail? (eeks!)

Also, will I be able to wear my regular shoe home from the Podiatrist?

Will I be able to drive myself home?

He still had his nail on, just took the side of it off.

He was able to wear his sock/sneaker over it, just left it loose.

He didn't drive home, I did, but he did go out later that night and drove himself.

 

[mafibisha]

Thank you all for the replies. I feel educated now!!

Ok, so one more question please

Considering its the holidays and I have a ton of stuff to do.... IF I can stand the pain (it comes and goes surprisingly?!) are there any major disadvantages waiting until the new year? Like Jan 2?

It won't make a difference with our insurance.

 

[krcit]

Thank you all for the replies. I feel educated now!!

Ok, so one more question please

Considering its the holidays and I have a ton of stuff to do.... IF I can stand the pain (it comes and goes surprisingly?!) are there any major disadvantages waiting until the new year? Like Jan 2?

It won't make a difference with our insurance.

When I had one, the pain got so bad that even my sheets touching it was excruciating so I had to go to the doctor. I wouldn't wait in case you wake up like that on Christmas day and can't get it taken care of.

 

[Callie]

When I was younger, I had either an ingrown nail, or an infected nail (not sure, probably suffered both at one point playing sports), and I sat on my Grandmas couch all day soaking it in hot water. I remember it finally fell off!

 

[quirty30]

Thank you all for the replies. I feel educated now!!

Ok, so one more question please

Considering its the holidays and I have a ton of stuff to do.... IF I can stand the pain (it comes and goes surprisingly?!) are there any major disadvantages waiting until the new year? Like Jan 2?

It won't make a difference with our insurance.

I was in your shoes (pun intended ) a few months ago. I lived with an extraordinarily painful ingrown toenail for many months and tried multiple things to deal with it (from regular pedicures to cutting the nail way down after epsom salt soaks, etc.) My nail had been injured repetitively over the years and it was finally clear to me that nothing I did was going to alleviate the problem. There were literally shards of nail growing separate from the rest of the nail into the side of my toe, that I had to extract with a pair of tweezers. Suffice it to say, I have an extremely high tolerance for pain.

Only you know how high your pain tolerance is - I lived with this for over 6 months before I finally couldn't take it anymore (and I admit it, I wanted to get through sandal season but also have it taken care of before it got too cold, like now.) If you've dealt with it this long, chances are you can last another couple of weeks.

As for what to expect at the doctors office, every case is different. In my case, it was very obvious that the nail growth was permanently distorted. Whether I cut it down, or he cut it down, it was going to eventually grow back just the way it had been growing for months (in my case, curved into both sides of my toe, as well as the offshoots, which apparently were from portions of the nail bed separating completely.) I had a procedure called a partial avulsion; he essentially cut the nail away from the skin on both sides. Then he performed phenolization of the nail bed - they use a chemical called phenol to destroy the nail root, just on the parts that were cut away. Several months later, I am left with a narrower toenail. But no more pain.

Now keep in mind that the healing process was also very painful. Especially the first 24 hours after the anesthesia wears off. I had to take the day off work and keep my foot elevated. The pain was intense. And then I had to soak it twice a day for almost 2 weeks. You may not need as aggressive of a treatment, but if you do, just be aware. If you've got a lot of stuff to get done between now and Christmas, you may want to wait just for that reason.

Sorry about the long reply, but thought you should know of the potential consequences. For the record, I never imagined I'd need to have surgery on my first visit to the podiatrist, but that's exactly what happened. I hope your situation isn't as bad!

 

[JediBonas]

Thank you all for the replies. I feel educated now!!

Ok, so one more question please

Considering its the holidays and I have a ton of stuff to do.... IF I can stand the pain (it comes and goes surprisingly?!) are there any major disadvantages waiting until the new year? Like Jan 2?

It won't make a difference with our insurance.

I think it's fine to wait as long as you don't think it's infected. I waited months once because the pain wasn't horrible, the one downside was all of the sudden one day it just started bleeding and wouldn't stop (ended up at urgent care to get it fixed, which was a PITA).

 

[lauradis]

Thank you all for the replies. I feel educated now!!

Ok, so one more question please

Considering its the holidays and I have a ton of stuff to do.... IF I can stand the pain (it comes and goes surprisingly?!) are there any major disadvantages waiting until the new year? Like Jan 2?

It won't make a difference with our insurance.

Always better to do it now, but It wouldn't kill you. Any red, swollen or hot toes is bad.

While im mothering you no pretty tight shoes please

 

[Priorityonecb]

If you think it's just painfully irritated, I'd say it would be okay to wait. If you think it's infected, I'd say to do it now. Or at least go in, get some antibiotics and maybe the podiatrist can do a little bit to help until you can schedule a time to get it fixed for good.

 

[mafibisha]

Always better to do it now, but It wouldn't kill you. Any red, swollen or hot toes is bad.

While im mothering you no pretty tight shoes please

Thank you! I appreciate the mothering!! LOL It's this type of decision that is always difficult for me!!

When I had one, the pain got so bad that even my sheets touching it was excruciating so I had to go to the doctor. I wouldn't wait in case you wake up like that on Christmas day and can't get it taken care of.

That is my concern, my fear....

When I was younger, I had either an ingrown nail, or an infected nail (not sure, probably suffered both at one point playing sports), and I sat on my Grandmas couch all day soaking it in hot water. I remember it finally fell off!

OUCH!!

I was in your shoes (pun intended ) a few months ago. I lived with an extraordinarily painful ingrown toenail for many months and tried multiple things to deal with it (from regular pedicures to cutting the nail way down after epsom salt soaks, etc.) My nail had been injured repetitively over the years and it was finally clear to me that nothing I did was going to alleviate the problem. There were literally shards of nail growing separate from the rest of the nail into the side of my toe, that I had to extract with a pair of tweezers. Suffice it to say, I have an extremely high tolerance for pain.

If you've dealt with it this long, chances are you can last another couple of weeks.
The pain was intense. And then I had to soak it twice a day for almost 2 weeks. You may not need as aggressive of a treatment, but if you do, just be aware. If you've got a lot of stuff to get done between now and Christmas, you may want to wait just for that reason. !

WOW! Sounds awful. I don't think mine is that bad though. But that's what I'm concerned about, not getting everything done. I tolerate pain pretty well though.... you know us mothers

I think it's fine to wait as long as you don't think it's infected. I waited months once because the pain wasn't horrible, the one downside was all of the sudden one day it just started bleeding and wouldn't stop (ended up at urgent care to get it fixed, which was a PITA).

OMG that would have been awful. So sorry.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really appreciate all the wisdom and advice!!!

 

[hsmamato2]

I think it depends on how severe it is...my DH has awful toes/nails, he had to have one cut open once..not fun or pretty, but it worked....for myself, when I feel one brewing (not to often) usually epsom salt soaks,plus a careful lifting of the edge a few times a day till it's out works.... I use the clipper flat part and just ease it out....