Ingrown Toenail Removal

Ingrown nails is a common nail disease, which is otherwise known as onychocryptosis or unguis incarnatus. It is a painful condition, wherein the affected nail grows into the nail beds, on one or both sides of the nail. Ingrown nails may occur in nail of the hands or feet, but is commonly found to affect the toenails. Usually, damaged nail edges cut into the skin of the nail beds and grow inwards. This condition may also happen if the nail does not fit properly into the groves on the sides. In such cases, it digs into the nail beds, causing inflammation and redness of the area with pain. In some cases, nail edges get embedded in the side tissues and causes the above said symptoms. As compared to kids, ingrown toenails are more common in adults, especially in men. It has also been observed that this condition usually affects people with big toes. Wearing ill-fitting shoes and improper trimming of nails are considered as the common causes for ingrown toenails.

Ingrown Toenail Treatment

Apart from symptoms like swelling, redness, pain and drainage, an ingrown nail may also lead to ingrown toenail infection and abscess, making the situation worse. The treatment of this condition varies with its severity. While mild cases can be treated at home itself, serious ones may require medical attention and even surgery. Home care is sufficient to treat the condition, if it is in the starting stage. This involves very mild cases, which can be treated by yourselves, so as to prevent further complications. You must soak the affected area in a mixture of warm water and Epsom salts, twice daily. After drying up, apply an over-the-counter antiseptic. This makes the nails grow out, so that the nail beds can heal. You should avoid wearing shoes or any type of closed footwear. But, if there is drainage or if the wound is deeper, then you must seek medical attention. A podiatrist can be the right person to address your problem.

You can also try removal of ingrown toenail, if there is no other symptom like drainage or inflammation. Soak your foot in a solution of warm water and betadine. After fifteen minutes, wipe your foot and insert a nail clipper under the nail border. Cut the visible part of the ingrown nail near the nail bed. Once it is cut, gently pull the edge of that piece of nail so that the whole piece comes out. Now, soak the foot in betadine solution for another twenty minutes. Repeat this for two to three days. Home care is limited to mild cases of ingrown nails only. Severe cases need medical attention, which may range between removal of the ingrown part to the surgical removal of the whole nail.

Removal of Ingrown Toenail

As per the severity of the condition, the treatment for ingrown toenail is decided. The podiatrist can easily remove the ingrown corner of the nail and if it is a painful condition, he may remove it under local anesthesia. Once it is removed, the area is covered with an antiseptic wrapping, which has to be kept intact for two to three days. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed for some people, especially diabetics and people with blood circulation problems. This treatment option is also for less severe conditions. More severe ingrown nails have to be treated surgically. Surgical ingrown toenail removal procedure involves removal of a part of the nail or the entire toenail. This is more necessary in case of infection, where the abscess has to be drained out.

Ingrown Toenail Removal Through Surgery

Before the surgery, the person will be given a tetanus shot. After that, anesthetic medicine will be injected at the point where the toe meets the foot. This is followed by the removal of the extra tissues around the ingrown toenail and the infection is drained out. Then the ingrown part of the nail is removed, so that the infected area can heal properly. The doctor may also remove a part of the affected nail bed surgically, or destroy the cells in the nail bed by applying a chemical or by laser. This is done to prevent the recurrence of this condition. The toe will be covered with antiseptic dressing and antibiotics are given to the patient. This process of partial ingrown toenail removal is called ' wedge resection' and the nail will regrow after some time.

In extreme cases, the whole nail of the affected toe is removed (nail avulsion), so as to prevent recurrence of the condition. This process is less complex than wedge resection and takes less than ten minutes to perform. In this case also, the nail will grow back, but can worsen the condition. So, doctors coat the nail matrix with some chemicals (like phenol), so that the nails never grow back. This method is called complete nail avulsion. Ingrown toenail removal cost depends on the procedure of nail removal. Ingrown toenail removal aftercare includes avoiding tight and closed footwear or footwear with high heels. You must avoid cutting the nails too short or rounding the corners of the nails. Stopping smoking can also be beneficial for preventing the recurrence of this condition. Above all, good nail care is recommended for preventing the occurrence of ingrown toenail.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.