Table of Contents: :: What is a Podiatrist? :: Athlete's Foot :: Bunions :: Foot Orthotics :: Diabetic Neuropathy

:: Heel Pain, Heel Spurs :: Ingrown Toenails :: Instructions After Your Operation :: Neuroma :: Tips for Diabetic Patients

Description

Ingrown toenails are due to the penetration of the edges of the nail plate into the soft tissue of the toe. It begins with a painful irritation that often becomes infected. With bacterial invasion, the nail margin becomes red and swollen often demonstrating drainage or pus. In people who have diabetes or poor circulation this relatively minor problem can be become quite severe. In this instance a simple ingrown toenail can result in gangrene of the toe. These patients should seek medical attention at the earliest sign of an ingrown toenail. There are several causes of ingrown toenails: a hereditary tendency to form ingrown toenails, improperly cutting the toenails either too short or cutting into the side of the nail and ill-fitting shoes can cause them. Children will often develop ingrown toenails as a result of pealing or tearing their toenails off instead of trimming them with a nail clipper. Once an ingrown toenail starts, they will often reoccur. Many people perform "bathroom" surgery to cut the nail margin out only to have it reoccur months later as the nail grows out.

Treatment for ingrown toenails is relatively painless. The injection to numb the toe may hurt some, but a skilled doctor has techniques to minimize this discomfort. Once the toe is numb, the nail margin is removed and the nail root in this area is destroyed. The doctor may use an acid to kill the root of the nail, but other techniques are also available. It may take a few weeks for the nail margin to completely heal, but there are generally no restrictions in activity, bathing or wearing shoes. Once the numbness wears off, there may be some very mild discomfort. A resumption of sports activities and exercise is generally permitted. There are very few complications associated with this procedure. Reoccurrence of the ingrown toenail can occur a small percentage of the time. Continuation of the infection is possible which can be controlled easily with oral antibiotics. On occasion, the remaining nail may become loose from the nail bed and fall off. A new nail will grow out to replace it over several months. With removal of the nail margin, the nail will be narrower and this should be expected.

Home Care Instructions for After a Toenail Procedure

• Leave dressing intact and in place until the time discussed, either until later today or early tomorrow.
• To remove dressing, unwrap gauze and remove all bandaging.
• Keep clean by soaking once or twice daily in warm soapy water for approximately ten minutes during the initial ten to fourteen days.
• Keep covered during the initial ten to fourteen days with bandage and antibiotic ointment during the daytime. Keep open to air at night.


    Triple antibiotic ointment
    Neomycin ointment
    Polysporin ointment
    Similar product


• The affected toe(s) will remain numb for a couple of hours after the procedure. To help manage the mild discomfort that follows, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can be taken, provided there are not contraindications (allergy, drug-drug interactions, peptic ulcer disease, etc).


    Acetaminophen (ES Tylenol 500 mg 1-2 tablets every 4 hours)
    Ibuprofen (Motrin 400 mg 1-2 tablets every 4 hours)
    Similar product


• If pain is greater than mild, you should call the office and get in touch with the doctor immediately.
• Keep your follow-up appointments and call the office if any questions arise.