posted
Um...ingrown toenails are not temporary. Once you get them, they pretty much tend to get worse and worse. Unless you are letting it grow completely out and then are very careful never to clip the nail too far in, you're ALWAYS going to go through the pain & infection again later.
If you finally give up and clip the nail back down in there so the pain is relieved, you've just guaranteed that you'll go through it all again.
AFIK, there are only two ways to truly get rid of an ingrown toenail problem:
1) remove the nail completely, or, 2) kill off the growth plate on the sides of the nail so that the remaining nail can grow in straight and not dig in.
So...have you got a "fish-hook" shaped nail yet?
Trust me on this.
Or read up on it on the web.
Save yourself years of recurring agony and get it done.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
That hasn't been my experience. I have problems maybe once every two years, usually very minor. I used to have much more problems.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I got my ingrown toenail taken care of and it wasn't so bad (it was definitely a step up from the pain of the ingrown toenail!!). I second Bob's recommendation. Go and get it taken care of so you'll never have to deal with it again. (I think they killed the growth plate on one side of my nail, if you have this done, don't watch, just enjoy that you aren't feeling anything! )
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
So, you've gotten the procedure where they've impeded the growth on both sides of the nail (or something along those lines)? I've been looking into doing that but wanted the opinions of those that have had it done and hopefully who have some time under their belt to let me know how it's been over the long term.
This is something I have to get done, as I'm always getting ingrown nails on both of my big toes.
Also, around how much did the procedure cost? Is it covered under insurance?
posted
I've had 2 in-grown toenails taken care of. The doctor actually admired me for taking care of the second one so well prior to coming in (it wasn't infected). My first one had a bit of infection though, and with in-grown toenails there is always that danger. Better to have minor out-patient work done (some novicaine-type stuff and some snipping of the nail) than to have your toe get infected and fall off.
My first one was artfully done, and you can't even tell unless you know what to look for that anything was done. My second one wasn't quite so cosmetically pleasing, but it isn't bad.
posted
So I've soaked it for a few hours and tried to trim the toenail back. It didn't look ingrown to me, but it's feeling a lot better. I'm confused.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'll second or third or whatever that ingrown toenail killing growthplate-thing operation by a podiatrist. Both of my big toes had serious problems leading to quite a few infected ingrown toenails (and those hurt). I had the procedure done quite a few times (somehow, they grew back, even though the bed had been killed.
Finally, I went to a new podiatrist who said I had the option of either removing the toenail completely (ew) or trying to let it grow out and then keep it very carefully trimmed so that it didn't get ingrown again (along with being certain to wear shoes that don't make ingrown toenails more easily gotten). It took weeks but they finally grew out and I haven't had problems since. However, I do have to keep them slightly (not unsightly, mind you) longer than most, but it's worked.
The procedure is covered by most insurance companies, especially if it's an infected toenail. it's also an in-office procedure, so if you have it done and it's covered, it'll just cost you an in-office specialist copay (if you have a PPO, HMO, EPO...) If you have an insurance plan with co-insurance instead of a co-pay, if you see an in-network specialist...well, you know the drill.
mph, I'd say see a podiatrist to get it worked out so you don't have to mess with it anymore.
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've had an ingrown toenail for about ten years.
I've had three different podiatrists operate on it, remove it all the way down to the root, and it kept coming back.
One day I decided to operate on it myself using a small pair of scissors and lots of alcohol. Wasn't particularly pleasant I admit, but it hasn't reoccured since.
Posts: 3486 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Nighthawk, sounds like you scared that toenail away!
I've never had an ingrown toenail, but I was wondering if that's what I had on my big toe recently. It was hurting for about a week, a bit red and inflamed, after I did some clipping and stuff. Anyway, it's better now so I'm hoping it doesn't turn into anything more.
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Nighthawk: One day I decided to operate on it myself using a small pair of scissors and lots of alcohol. Wasn't particularly pleasant I admit, but it hasn't reoccured since.
And the hangover had both your head and your toe throbbing, I'm sure.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
My daughter had terrible ones because of ballet - pointe shoes are evil - and she's had the growthplate killing procedure and no problems at all since.
I had one get so infected the doctor almost put me in the hospital. They had to remove the entire nail and I'm telling you, that pain was unbelievable. I highly, highly recommend podiatrists. I mean come on, that's what they do, man. They're pretty good at it.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd agree with those saying to see a podiatrist. In-grown toenail-like pain is not pleasant and should be treated quickly. I had an in-grown toenail a few years back (partially my own fault), and it caused me tons of pain (and by the end of it, it looked quite nasty). The podiatrist looked at it, numbed my toe, sliced the nail down some, put some chemical on it to keep the in-grown part from ever growing back, and then bandaged me up all in one visit.
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
At least consider going when it comes back, because in my experience with ingrown toenails - it will.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
[sarcasm]Now that that excruciating pain in my chest has subsided, I guess I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm sure my heart is fine.[/sarcasm]
Stop being afraid of doctor-types. Can't hurt to have it checked out.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
When I was canvassing cobblestone streets in dress shoes I never got an ingrown toe-nail, but my companion did one time.
We asked a ward member to recommend a doctor. He gave us an address near our apartment. We went, my companion disappeared into the office (I didn't insist on going in with him, although my comp. latter upbraided me for it, so the rest of this is his relation to me after the fact). The doctor informed him the toenail was ingrown and would need to be killed. He then took out a large needle and began using what looked like a whetting stone to sharpen it. My companion asked if he would be giving him local anesthesia and the doctor smirked and made a comment about weak Americans who are afraid of a little pain. Once he'd finished with the needle he looked at my comp and said, "This procedure is sometimes called Burning Hell Stones, because it gives you a taste of what it's like to walk in Hell." He then proceeded to repeatedly and violently jab at Elder Branch's toe, causing an excruciating amount of pain. After a minute or so he stopped, put the needle away, bandaged the toe and sent us on our way.
Later that day we related to another ward member about the doctor's visit. He was horrified that we'd been sent to this doctor, because he was known as a "horse doctor" (little care for patients, just get the procedure done) and had furthermore recently been ousted from some local civic governance board for some sexual indiscresions. Anyway, that was my only experience with Dutch doctors (although I heard stories from other missionaries about dental visits that would curl your toe...nails).
Posts: 2926 | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
'cause my big toes' toenails tend to grow into the sides a bit, but I usually just end up chopping off the corners when I trim them so that they don't bother me at all.
posted
LOL. mph, I have an image of you sticking your fingers in your ears going "lalalalalalala" as someone tells you you need to see a doctor.
Seriously, though, pain is an indicator that something's wrong. It's in your best interests to find out what's wrong so that it won't be a problem in the future.
It's like driving your car even though smoke's coming out from under the hood. Even if the smoke stops, you should at least see what was wrong in the first place.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
The great thing about the human body is that it has the ability to heal itself. Very often, if you ignore it, it the problem will go away. Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have had ingrown toenails operated on twice. The first time was in the U.S., by a good podiatrist, and it hurt. It mostly hurt when he numbed it, and not actually during the procedure, though. That nail has never bothered me again.
The second time was in Honduras, in a small hospital in a smallish town, by a well-meaning non-specialist. It hurt when he numbed it, but since he was used to anesthetizing Honduran folk he didn't give me enough, so it kept hurting, and then it hurt again when he tried to numb it again. His procedure wasn't nearly as sophisticated as the American podiatrist's, and a couple of months later the nail was back, then it became a problem again, and it has bugged me ever since. I could have avoided all this if I had gone to the doctor as soon as the problem manifested itself, when I was still in the U.S.
Posts: 202 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by pH: Where does an ingrown toenail grow into?
'cause my big toes' toenails tend to grow into the sides a bit, but I usually just end up chopping off the corners when I trim them so that they don't bother me at all.
-pH
With mine which was on my big toe of my right foot, the nail grew into the sides (particularly the right side). I used to do like you and sort of trim off the corners and it never caused trouble. One time I trimmed it wrong or something and it grew in deeper and cut into the skin. It hurt a little, not very much at first. Soon though it got sort of nasty looking and hurt a bit more. Since I got it treated at the podiatrist though, it no longer grows into the side there anymore. Also, I'm a lot more careful about how I trim my toenails.
Posts: 1960 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had the ingrown toenails on my big toes worked on when I was twelve. I remember it being pretty painless. The podiatrist was a nice, friendly guy, too—I also went to him for a couple of sprained ankles. I can get you his name if you want (though he's up in the Salt Lake area somewhere).
Posts: 9945 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yeah, it sounds like an ingrown toenail to me! I had a persistent one that I couldn't get to grow out on its own with clever nail-trimming techniques, and had to have it surgically removed, but it was a quick and relatively painless, in-patient thing. Go forth and have thy nail chopped! You'll be glad you did.
Posts: 1006 | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Bob_Scopatz: Save yourself years of recurring agony and get it done.
Years of recurring agony, that sounds about right. I've been getting them since 8th grade (I'm in 11th now). They show up on two of my four big toe sides every month (alternating) and manifest via horrible pain. I soak them for about an hour in plain water, take a small pair of scissors and cut as far down the offending nail as possible, then take a pair of tweezers and tare (tear?) out the rest. It's no picnic, but with a little Neosporin I'm fine for another month.
Posts: 959 | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Years of recurring agony, that sounds about right. I've been getting them since 8th grade (I'm in 11th now). They show up on two of my four big toe sides every month (alternating) and manifest via horrible pain. I soak them for about an hour in plain water, take a small pair of scissors and cut as far down the offending nail as possible, then take a pair of tweezers and tare (tear?) out the rest. It's no picnic, but with a little Neosporin I'm fine for another month.
Or, alternately, you could go to a podiatrist and never go through this again, saving yourself an uncomfortable procedure once a month.
Not to mention that doing it yourself, is just plain not advised. Let a trained podatrist who follows good sterile field procedure do it and cut down the risk of infection or complication.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've been considering it for a while, I suppose next time it pops up I'll visit a podiatrist, just because you insist.
Posts: 959 | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Not insisting, just advising from the perspective of someone who's been there, and has had kids who've been there. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: I can live with that.
Let's just hope so. [/morbid]
Reminds me of the version of the old "Gee ma, I wanna go home" song we used to sing at girl's camp:
"The nurses there at girls camp, they say are mighty fine; My friend developed hangnail, her funeral's at nine!"
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
If it's the "specialty" doc that's unnerving you, I am pretty sure that I saw my primary care provider (it was 9 years ago) and he did the procedure just fine. (That and I only had my copay of $10...swwweeeeet!)
Edit to put the "e" on care
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by pH: Where does an ingrown toenail grow into?
When they are past their larval stage, they grow into extra toes! Most people you see with six or more toes per foot were folks who, like our Porter, put off good podiatric care too long.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Bob_Scopatz: Podiatrists are wonderful.
I finally had my ingrown nails fixed and it's been great.
I highly recommend it.
I once let one stay enflamed on my big toe for like 4 years. True story. It doesn't hurt me or anything, but it is a wee bit bigger than the other one now. Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
