Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Before we discuss the surgery options for ingrown toenails, let’s first discuss what it is, what are its causes, and what are the relative symptoms accompanying it.
Is your foot somewhat foul-smelling? Are there any irregularities in your toes? Is it painful when you bump it onto a surface or warm when you touch it? If yes are your answers to all or most of these questions, you may have an ingrown toenail and you might need to undergo an ingrown toenail surgery procedure immediately.
An ingrown toenail appears curved and grows deep into your skin, typically at the borders or sides of your nails. This dug-in nail will cause your skin to react due to irritation and may lead to pain, redness, swelling and warmth in the affected area. If an ingrown nail leads to breakage of the skin, bacteria will follow and enter it, causing infections within the area to arise. This scenario is often signaled by drainage and a foul smell from the toe. Nonetheless, even if the toe does not exhibit redness, swelling, warmth or pain when bumped, a nail that is curving in a downward position and further deepening into the skin can result into a serious infection.
So what are the causes of ingrown toenails? In most cases, people inherit ingrown toenails from one or both of their parents. The condition can also be caused by trauma. This includes stubbing your toe accidentally, having a heavy object fall onto your toe, or participating in activities requiring repeated pressure on the toe, such as running or kicking a ball. Improper trimming is also a possible causative agent and is considered as the most common cause of ingrown toenails. Cutting your nails too short can result to the condition since it encourages the skin next to the nail to overlap the nail. Fungal infections and other nail conditions may also cause such problem to arise when not treated immediately.
In terms of treatment, mild cases of ingrown toenails do not require the individual to undergo an ingrown toenail surgery. Instead, they can perform home care and treatment until the condition is controlled or alleviated. However, for patient cases wherein infection has already accessed the skin and has begun to spread, ingrown toenail surgery procedures are required. Ingrown toenail surgery is also required for people with other medical conditions, making their feet at risk, such as poor blood circulation, nerve damage or diabetes.
For people without any infection or existing medical condition, simply soak your foot in room temp water. Add some Epsom’s salt in the water as recommended by your physician. While being soaked, massage your foot gently, particularly in the inflamed portion. Avoid trying to do your own bathroom surgery on the affected toe. Cutting the nails repeatedly can lead to the condition to degenerate further overtime. If the symptoms do not improve over a considerably long period of treatment time, it is ideal to visit a specialist. One thing to remember when you’re performing home care and treatment is that over-the-counter drugs are ineffective. Topical medications can mask the pain and discomfort felt yet cannot correct the underlying cause and issue.
In terms of ingrown toenail surgery, your chosen physician will first assess and evaluate your condition and then decide which surgical procedure will best fit you. If infection is detected, an oral antibiotic may be given. In some occasions, a minor surgical procedure that is often accomplished in the physician’s office will help ease the pain and discomfort and remove the ingrown nail. After application of a local anesthetic, the medical practitioner will remove a portion of the nail’s border or side. In some cases, the treated nails become ingrown again thus requiring the nail root to be removed to prevent further growing. After the nail removal procedure, a light bandage will be applied. Most clients experience slight pain and discomfort after the local anesthetics have worn out. This may continue on long after the patient is discharged and can be felt when the client is carrying out regular day to day activities. If your physician has prescribed an oral antibiotic, make sure that you take it as prescribed even if your symptoms do improve in noticeable levels.
To prevent ingrown toenails from occurring or reoccurring in the future, you can do simple yet effective solutions. One is by properly trimming your nails in appropriate levels or length. Cut the toenails in a fairly direct line and do not trim them too short. You should be able to get your fingernails under the borders and ends of the nail. Also, wear well-fitted socks and shoes that enable your feet to comfortably breathe and move to avoid pressuring your feet, particularly during walking or running.