As somebody who spent two years on cobblestones with dress shoes as my primary means of transportation, I am no stranger to ingrown tonails.
Yesterday my toe was bothering me, but I didn't do anything about it.
This morning it hurt so bad that it work me up three hours early.
So I got up and soaked it while starting my work day (sometimes it's really convenient to work at home).
Now that it's soaked, I investigate it, and even though it feels ingrown, infected, and inflamed, it doesn't look that way at all.
Now I'm starting to get a little worried.
[ October 03, 2006, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: mr_porteiro_head ]
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Podiatrists are wonderful.
I finally had my ingrown nails fixed and it's been great.
I highly recommend it.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
>.<
<-- afraid of doctor-types
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Amputate.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
That's exactly what it feels like I should do.
I'm a little wary of permanent solutions for temporary problems, but I can probably be persuaded.
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
It's leechin' time!
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Um...ingrown toenails are not temporary. Once you get them, they pretty much tend to get worse and worse. Unless you are letting it grow completely out and then are very careful never to clip the nail too far in, you're ALWAYS going to go through the pain & infection again later.
If you finally give up and clip the nail back down in there so the pain is relieved, you've just guaranteed that you'll go through it all again.
AFIK, there are only two ways to truly get rid of an ingrown toenail problem:
1) remove the nail completely, or, 2) kill off the growth plate on the sides of the nail so that the remaining nail can grow in straight and not dig in.
So...have you got a "fish-hook" shaped nail yet?
Trust me on this.
Or read up on it on the web.
Save yourself years of recurring agony and get it done.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
That hasn't been my experience. I have problems maybe once every two years, usually very minor. I used to have much more problems.
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
I got my ingrown toenail taken care of and it wasn't so bad (it was definitely a step up from the pain of the ingrown toenail!!). I second Bob's recommendation. Go and get it taken care of so you'll never have to deal with it again. (I think they killed the growth plate on one side of my nail, if you have this done, don't watch, just enjoy that you aren't feeling anything! )
Posted by AutumnWind (Member # 9124) on :
So, you've gotten the procedure where they've impeded the growth on both sides of the nail (or something along those lines)? I've been looking into doing that but wanted the opinions of those that have had it done and hopefully who have some time under their belt to let me know how it's been over the long term.
This is something I have to get done, as I'm always getting ingrown nails on both of my big toes.
Also, around how much did the procedure cost? Is it covered under insurance?
Thanks!
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
I've had 2 in-grown toenails taken care of. The doctor actually admired me for taking care of the second one so well prior to coming in (it wasn't infected). My first one had a bit of infection though, and with in-grown toenails there is always that danger. Better to have minor out-patient work done (some novicaine-type stuff and some snipping of the nail) than to have your toe get infected and fall off.
My first one was artfully done, and you can't even tell unless you know what to look for that anything was done. My second one wasn't quite so cosmetically pleasing, but it isn't bad.
-Bok
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
So I've soaked it for a few hours and tried to trim the toenail back. It didn't look ingrown to me, but it's feeling a lot better. I'm confused.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I'll second or third or whatever that ingrown toenail killing growthplate-thing operation by a podiatrist. Both of my big toes had serious problems leading to quite a few infected ingrown toenails (and those hurt). I had the procedure done quite a few times (somehow, they grew back, even though the bed had been killed.
Finally, I went to a new podiatrist who said I had the option of either removing the toenail completely (ew) or trying to let it grow out and then keep it very carefully trimmed so that it didn't get ingrown again (along with being certain to wear shoes that don't make ingrown toenails more easily gotten). It took weeks but they finally grew out and I haven't had problems since. However, I do have to keep them slightly (not unsightly, mind you) longer than most, but it's worked.
The procedure is covered by most insurance companies, especially if it's an infected toenail. it's also an in-office procedure, so if you have it done and it's covered, it'll just cost you an in-office specialist copay (if you have a PPO, HMO, EPO...) If you have an insurance plan with co-insurance instead of a co-pay, if you see an in-network specialist...well, you know the drill.
mph, I'd say see a podiatrist to get it worked out so you don't have to mess with it anymore.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Get it checked! Or else you might need a cane or something like that...
Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
I've had an ingrown toenail for about ten years.
I've had three different podiatrists operate on it, remove it all the way down to the root, and it kept coming back.
One day I decided to operate on it myself using a small pair of scissors and lots of alcohol. Wasn't particularly pleasant I admit, but it hasn't reoccured since.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Nighthawk, sounds like you scared that toenail away!
I've never had an ingrown toenail, but I was wondering if that's what I had on my big toe recently. It was hurting for about a week, a bit red and inflamed, after I did some clipping and stuff. Anyway, it's better now so I'm hoping it doesn't turn into anything more.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by Nighthawk: One day I decided to operate on it myself using a small pair of scissors and lots of alcohol. Wasn't particularly pleasant I admit, but it hasn't reoccured since.
And the hangover had both your head and your toe throbbing, I'm sure.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
It's feeling almost perfectly normal now.
That was weird.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
See a podiatrist. Seriously.
My daughter had terrible ones because of ballet - pointe shoes are evil - and she's had the growthplate killing procedure and no problems at all since.
I had one get so infected the doctor almost put me in the hospital. They had to remove the entire nail and I'm telling you, that pain was unbelievable. I highly, highly recommend podiatrists. I mean come on, that's what they do, man. They're pretty good at it.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I'd agree with those saying to see a podiatrist. In-grown toenail-like pain is not pleasant and should be treated quickly. I had an in-grown toenail a few years back (partially my own fault), and it caused me tons of pain (and by the end of it, it looked quite nasty). The podiatrist looked at it, numbed my toe, sliced the nail down some, put some chemical on it to keep the in-grown part from ever growing back, and then bandaged me up all in one visit.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I'm not going to see a podiatrist over a toe that used to hurt but doesn't anymore.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
At least consider going when it comes back, because in my experience with ingrown toenails - it will.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
[sarcasm]Now that that excruciating pain in my chest has subsided, I guess I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm sure my heart is fine.[/sarcasm]
Stop being afraid of doctor-types. Can't hurt to have it checked out.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Stop being afraid of doctor-types.
No.
quote:Can't hurt to have it checked out.
On the contrary -- it practically always does.
Posted by SenojRetep (Member # 8614) on :
Funny anecdote:
When I was canvassing cobblestone streets in dress shoes I never got an ingrown toe-nail, but my companion did one time.
We asked a ward member to recommend a doctor. He gave us an address near our apartment. We went, my companion disappeared into the office (I didn't insist on going in with him, although my comp. latter upbraided me for it, so the rest of this is his relation to me after the fact). The doctor informed him the toenail was ingrown and would need to be killed. He then took out a large needle and began using what looked like a whetting stone to sharpen it. My companion asked if he would be giving him local anesthesia and the doctor smirked and made a comment about weak Americans who are afraid of a little pain. Once he'd finished with the needle he looked at my comp and said, "This procedure is sometimes called Burning Hell Stones, because it gives you a taste of what it's like to walk in Hell." He then proceeded to repeatedly and violently jab at Elder Branch's toe, causing an excruciating amount of pain. After a minute or so he stopped, put the needle away, bandaged the toe and sent us on our way.
Later that day we related to another ward member about the doctor's visit. He was horrified that we'd been sent to this doctor, because he was known as a "horse doctor" (little care for patients, just get the procedure done) and had furthermore recently been ousted from some local civic governance board for some sexual indiscresions. Anyway, that was my only experience with Dutch doctors (although I heard stories from other missionaries about dental visits that would curl your toe...nails).
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Where does an ingrown toenail grow into?
'cause my big toes' toenails tend to grow into the sides a bit, but I usually just end up chopping off the corners when I trim them so that they don't bother me at all.
-pH
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
LOL. mph, I have an image of you sticking your fingers in your ears going "lalalalalalala" as someone tells you you need to see a doctor.
Seriously, though, pain is an indicator that something's wrong. It's in your best interests to find out what's wrong so that it won't be a problem in the future.
It's like driving your car even though smoke's coming out from under the hood. Even if the smoke stops, you should at least see what was wrong in the first place.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
The great thing about the human body is that it has the ability to heal itself. Very often, if you ignore it, it the problem will go away. Posted by Silent E (Member # 8840) on :
I have had ingrown toenails operated on twice. The first time was in the U.S., by a good podiatrist, and it hurt. It mostly hurt when he numbed it, and not actually during the procedure, though. That nail has never bothered me again.
The second time was in Honduras, in a small hospital in a smallish town, by a well-meaning non-specialist. It hurt when he numbed it, but since he was used to anesthetizing Honduran folk he didn't give me enough, so it kept hurting, and then it hurt again when he tried to numb it again. His procedure wasn't nearly as sophisticated as the American podiatrist's, and a couple of months later the nail was back, then it became a problem again, and it has bugged me ever since. I could have avoided all this if I had gone to the doctor as soon as the problem manifested itself, when I was still in the U.S.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
quote:Originally posted by pH: Where does an ingrown toenail grow into?
'cause my big toes' toenails tend to grow into the sides a bit, but I usually just end up chopping off the corners when I trim them so that they don't bother me at all.
-pH
With mine which was on my big toe of my right foot, the nail grew into the sides (particularly the right side). I used to do like you and sort of trim off the corners and it never caused trouble. One time I trimmed it wrong or something and it grew in deeper and cut into the skin. It hurt a little, not very much at first. Soon though it got sort of nasty looking and hurt a bit more. Since I got it treated at the podiatrist though, it no longer grows into the side there anymore. Also, I'm a lot more careful about how I trim my toenails.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
OK, it's hurting again. Y'all might be right. <_<
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
So you'll be calling the podiatrist first thing tomorrow (assuming it's too late there now)?
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
So I'll be thinking about calling a podiatrist. Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
I had the ingrown toenails on my big toes worked on when I was twelve. I remember it being pretty painless. The podiatrist was a nice, friendly guy, too—I also went to him for a couple of sprained ankles. I can get you his name if you want (though he's up in the Salt Lake area somewhere).
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: So I'll be thinking about calling a podiatrist.
Wuss.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I can live with that.
Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :
Yeah, it sounds like an ingrown toenail to me! I had a persistent one that I couldn't get to grow out on its own with clever nail-trimming techniques, and had to have it surgically removed, but it was a quick and relatively painless, in-patient thing. Go forth and have thy nail chopped! You'll be glad you did.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: I can live with that.
Let's just hope so. [/morbid]
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bob_Scopatz: Save yourself years of recurring agony and get it done.
Years of recurring agony, that sounds about right. I've been getting them since 8th grade (I'm in 11th now). They show up on two of my four big toe sides every month (alternating) and manifest via horrible pain. I soak them for about an hour in plain water, take a small pair of scissors and cut as far down the offending nail as possible, then take a pair of tweezers and tare (tear?) out the rest. It's no picnic, but with a little Neosporin I'm fine for another month.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by Libbie: ... but it was a quick and relatively painless, in-patient thing.
quote:Years of recurring agony, that sounds about right. I've been getting them since 8th grade (I'm in 11th now). They show up on two of my four big toe sides every month (alternating) and manifest via horrible pain. I soak them for about an hour in plain water, take a small pair of scissors and cut as far down the offending nail as possible, then take a pair of tweezers and tare (tear?) out the rest. It's no picnic, but with a little Neosporin I'm fine for another month.
Or, alternately, you could go to a podiatrist and never go through this again, saving yourself an uncomfortable procedure once a month.
Not to mention that doing it yourself, is just plain not advised. Let a trained podatrist who follows good sterile field procedure do it and cut down the risk of infection or complication.
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
I've been considering it for a while, I suppose next time it pops up I'll visit a podiatrist, just because you insist.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Not insisting, just advising from the perspective of someone who's been there, and has had kids who've been there. Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka:
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: I can live with that.
Let's just hope so. [/morbid]
Reminds me of the version of the old "Gee ma, I wanna go home" song we used to sing at girl's camp:
"The nurses there at girls camp, they say are mighty fine; My friend developed hangnail, her funeral's at nine!"
Posted by sweetbaboo (Member # 8845) on :
If it's the "specialty" doc that's unnerving you, I am pretty sure that I saw my primary care provider (it was 9 years ago) and he did the procedure just fine. (That and I only had my copay of $10...swwweeeeet!)
Edit to put the "e" on care
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by pH: Where does an ingrown toenail grow into?
When they are past their larval stage, they grow into extra toes! Most people you see with six or more toes per foot were folks who, like our Porter, put off good podiatric care too long.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Then you can sell them off for a profit, just like Lannick Mueller.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bob_Scopatz: Podiatrists are wonderful.
I finally had my ingrown nails fixed and it's been great.
I highly recommend it.
I once let one stay enflamed on my big toe for like 4 years. True story. It doesn't hurt me or anything, but it is a wee bit bigger than the other one now. Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
So what does the podiatrist DO? Is it like an expensive toenail trimming? How far does he cut it?
-pH
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I'm pretty sure he leaves the ankle.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
For me, he first put a shot into my toe to numb the whole thing. Then he cut a sliver from the toenail (from the tip all the way to the root) along the side where it was ingrown. He then put a chemical on the root-part there so that it wouldn't grow back. He then cleaned up what blood there was and bandaged up my toe. I had to remove the bandage, soak my toe in warm salt water, and put a new bandage on it twice a day for like a week or so. Then I went back to the podiatrist and he took the bandage off, examined the toe, and told me I was good to go. He did warn me that most people who have one big toe done also have to have the other one done at some point. So far I've lucked out and that hasn't had to happen yet.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
Essentially they shave the nail all the way down the ingrown side, making the nail more narrow. This removes the part of the nail that becomes ingrown completely, creating an entirely new, healthy and non-ingrowy edge of the nail further away from the edge of the toe. Then they kill off the root of the nail in that spot, so it (in theory) never can grow back.
My brother-in-law had it done, and though he said he did have some discomfort for a day or two after the anesthetic wore off, it's been fine since.
Edit: Didn't realize pfresh posted essentially this same thing on the second page. D'oh.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Have you called, Porter?
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
No, and it's a good thing. I'm swamped this morning.
Posted by Silent E (Member # 8840) on :
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