Ingrown Toenail Removal & Treatment

Ingrown toenails are treatable without surgery but in severe cases a small medical procedure to remove them. When noticed in the early stages ingrown toenails can be treated at home. However, in severe cases toenails even become infected and patients will need to see an ingrown toenail doctor for advice for ingrown toenail treatment and possibly a toenail removal surgery.

An ingrown toenail is when the toenail grows into the skin at the wedges. The condition is common in the big toe and small toe. The risk factors include improper trimming and tight-fitting footwear. Some of the home-fix ingrown toenail practices include soaking feet in warm water, wearing sandals, or shoes with a wide toe box, and keeping the foot clean for it to heal on its own. Dirt may present infection risk and one is supposed to see a doctor immediately. If you are looking for some expert advice on ingrown toenail treatment, you may want to seek help from a Houston podiatrist. Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment for your ingrown toenail problems. Our foot specialist, Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. If you have an underlying medical condition get us to treat the condition to avoid complications. Ingrown toenails irritate the skin on the wedges making it easy for microbes and bacteria. Signs of infection include

1. A fever
2. Swelling
3. Extreme pain
4. Pus
5. Redness

When the toenail is inflamed or swollen and it does not get better your podiatrist will diagnose and prescribe antibiotics. A special splint may be prescribed to prevent the toenail from digging deeper into the skin. If all the treatments do not work the doctor may recommend surgery.

Ingrown toenail surgery involves local anesthesia where the toe is numbed. Sometimes the doctor may offer twilight anesthesia where one remains awake but may not remember the procedure. When the patient prefers general anesthesia, it may take longer to prepare but it is a good option for people who are anxious about surgery.

Ingrown toenail removal procedure includes:

• Wedge resection – In this procedure, the podiatrist removes a part of the toenail where it digs into the skin. This is also known as partial nail avulsion.
• Complete nail plate avulsion – The doctor may decide to remove the entire toenail. Removing the entire nail will mean the nail might grow back deformed or misshapen increasing the risk of recurrence. The toenail might take 18 months to fully regrow.
• Surgery on the tip of the toe is done when previous procedures fail. The podiatrist reshapes or removes the soft tissue at the tip of the toe.
• Total ingrown toenail removal known as matrixectomy involves the removal of the nail and the nail bed. It is done when the wedge resection fails.
• While performing any of these procedures the foot doctor might cut deep into the nail bed to relieve swelling and drain infected tissue.
• After surgery one is required to keep the wound bandaged, clean, and dry. Avoid strenuous activity that will put pressure on the nail until you are healed. Always soak the foot in a solution of Epsom salt and warm water and use the antibiotic ointment as directed by the doctor. Take NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help with swelling and pain.