Ingrown Toenail Surgery

An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis is a condition characterized by a part of nail penetrating the skin, sometimes also leading to an infection. This will also be accompanied by pain around the toenail edges and in the nail groove. The soft tissues around your nail will be infected due to this condition. In serious cases, the ingrown toenail infection can further spread and affect the bones. Remember that the toenail first penetrates the skin and it may or may not get infected. Usually, poor cutting of nail, uncomfortable footwear or a trauma can lead to occurrence of an ingrown toenail. You can always try treating an ingrown toenail with help of some home remedies. However, in extreme cases, surgery is the only option left.

Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Before an ingrown toenail surgery is considered, doctors will give you some antibiotics to treat the problem. Treatment will also include medications for getting rid of the infection. If the problem is not cured by these or if it keeps on occurring again and again, surgery must be considered as the final ingrown toenail treatment. Ingrown toenail surgery is a minor one that consists of a simple procedure and it is sure to give you positive and permanent results.

Step 1: A local anesthesia will be given before starting the surgery. Now your toe will be cleaned with an antiseptic to avoid any infection. A tourniquet will be applied to decrease the blood loss. The nail will be loosened from the toe be using a scalpel. It will be further removed.

Step 2: There are different minor surgical procedures that might be considered for removing the nail. In some cases, only an edge of the nail might be removed. In this case the nail bed is not disturbed. In very severe cases entire nail will be removed and the nail bed cells will be killed using a chemical such as liquefied phenol. A surgical debriding or laser might also be considered for doing this. In this case the nail won't grow back.

Step 3: Finally, dressing will be done using a non-stick paraffin gauze and crepe bandage. The tourniquet will be removed at the end. The blood circulation will be checked to ensure that the bandage is not too tight. Painkillers will also be prescribed.

Step 4: Doctor will ask you to keep the foot elevated while going back home and while you rest for 2-3 days. Ingrown toenail surgery cost is not much. It will vary according to the area where the clinic is situated and the cost of living at the place. Most of the doctors charge depending upon the time required and the severity.

Ingrown Toenail Surgery Recovery
Ingrown toenail surgery recovery period will depend on the type of surgery performed. In case of entire ingrown toenail removal, it will take 3-4 months to regrow. In case the nail bed is killed, it won't grow back. The pain will be relieved in 3-4 days. Following the recommended aftercare is very essential for proper and fast recovery.

Ingrown Toenail Surgery Aftercare
Once you get an ingrown toenail surgery performed, you are required to follow the undermentioned aftercare. Keep the bandage for 3 days. On the third day, it must be removed and the area must be cleaned with an antiseptic. Dry the area properly and apply any antibiotic ointment given by the doctor. Further bandage it. Follow this procedure twice a day, till it heals. After a day or two, you can continue your routine work. It is best to avoid vigorous activities like running for 2 weeks after ingrown toenail surgery. Make sure you wear an open shoe, such as peep-toe shoes, open sandals, or very comfortable shoes for 2 weeks. No high heels or tight/ ill fitting shoes. Wear socks to protect it. Make sure you trim your nails straight across, no curves at corners.

Ingrown toenail surgery is very effective in treating this problem. Make sure that you follow doctor's instructions and consult him in case of swelling, severe pain, discharge or redness.