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I cut out my ingrown toenail

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Posted 11/15/2012 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I had an ingrown toenail I noticed about 2 weeks ago and I cut it out. Ive only had one once that I cut out and no problems. Well this time I cut this one thinking the same thing. Except this time it turned out completely different... I cut it out and looked like before except shortly after I cut it out the swelling didnt go away (forgot to mention it was infected) and in the area where I had removed the nail it was almost like the skin that was under the nail swelled up pretty good looked about the size of a bean like in pork n beans for example it was constantly drain a lot. Now it has gone down to about 3/4 to almost half the size it was and it doesnt hurt as much as it did the draining still happens but not as bad. Now it seems like it might be getting better but it still worries me. I cant figure out how to post a pict. of it and reason I havent gone to the doc yet is I dont have health insurance just yet. If anyone can help of give me some tips that would be great!
Posted 11/15/2012 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kyle and welcome to the forum. Ouch, ingrown toenails hurt. Usually once you start getting an ingrown toenail be prepared for these to crop up over & over until you get to a dr and get it taken care of properly. My son gets these really and and yes his are infected too. You need to e sure you clip your nails correctly and wear proper fitting shoes. This last time the dr finally removed the entire nail, this is his big toe. Keep the toe clean ad put something like Neosporin on it. Cutting your nails correctly and wearing proper fitting shoes helps too. Also try to keep the ail trimmed to prevent it from becoming ingrown.

Take care.....Susie
Posted 11/15/2012 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kyle & welcome to the Chronic Pain Forums!

While none of us here are doctors, you'll find that many of us are always willing to listen & offer any support that we can.

As you're talking about your ingrown toenail, I'd suggest of course seeing a doctor. It's what would honestly be the best thing for you. My younger sister had an ingrown toenail & she had to have surgery under a general anthestic. That is why I would say its best to see a doctor as it could be serious as my sisters was & you may need surgery. Infection can set in if not treated properly and could potentially spread to other parts of your body. I know this is probably not what you were looking for, but this is my advice. Her doctor also had her stick her feet in a foot bath with Epsom salt & also had her ice it often.

Welcome again & good luck! :)
~Kayla
Posted 11/15/2012 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Self-surgery, on an ingrown toenail eh? Been there. Here's what worked for me.

DISCAIMER - I am not a doctor. But this has worked for me in the past. If you are a diabetic, have a compromised immune system, or have circulation issues with your feet disregard this message and go straight to the doctor.

Neosporin or a generic antibiotic ointment (they have ones with pain reliever in it, this may help you here) during the day when you have to wear socks (You may want to put some extra gauze there too for padding and absorption - not paper towels). When you get home, you need to take off the sock and padding and soak it for around 20-30 min in medium hot water with epsom salts (Any pharmacy, most grocery stores, about $1 - Not to be confused with bath salts, much more expensive, and which will make you want to eat people's faces). Follow the directions on the package for the amount to add, then, while the skin is still soft, see if you can -gently- press some of that stuff out of there. You aren't trying to get it all out at once. Then wash, rise and dry, clean with peroxide (NOT alcohol), let it air out until bedime, reapply neosporin or whatever other antibiotic ointment you have handy, wear a sock on that foot to sleep.

After you shower in the morning, while the skin is soft, see if you can force some more of the stuff out of there. Reapply neosporin, and repeat this process daily

What to look out for: if the redness starts to spread up your foot, toward your ankle, get to any doctor you can afford, Some of those walk in clinics can be quite reasonable. If the skin around the nail, or on the other side of the toe gets red and inflamed, get to a doctor. At that point it's not something you can treat at home.
Posted 11/15/2012 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I strongly recommend you make an appt. with your GP to just get it checked out and they can clean it up and make sure you are not infected to where you need antibiotics...

None of us here are Drs. so it's really best to see what yours says and they can show you how to properly care for it from here on out.

When you call the GP...tell them you do not have any insurance...they should be able to discount the appt. for you and only charge $75 or less. I have done this as I haven't had insurance for close to 6 years.

It will be worth it because if it is a true infection and gets out of hand...this can cause greater health risks to you....

Good luck..
Posted 11/15/2012 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for the replys!!
Posted 11/19/2012 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Ingrown toe nails are so painful. I have personal experience as well and strongly suggest seeing podiatrist. I had a pedicure a couple years ago and the nail tech told me he was not allowed to do the ingrown nail but because I was a regular for nails he made me promise to see a dr if I had any signs of infection and he cut them out. My hubby usually does them for me but has told me I need to see a dr.
Posted 11/19/2012 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
KyleM22-

I learned how to care for this while in Boot Camp. Very much the same as what LivingColor has posted.

As a prevention, be sure to cut the nail straight across not in a curve. If you think one is starting, cut a V in the middle of the nail. This allows the nail to pull out of the side when growing.

If it gets worse or doesn't get netter in a few days definitely see a doctor about it.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 11/24/2012 6:41 AM (GMT 0)

grandmaroses said...
Ingrown toe nails are so painful. I have personal experience as well and strongly suggest seeing podiatrist. I had a pedicure a couple years ago and the nail tech told me he was not allowed to do the ingrown nail but because I was a regular for nails he made me promise to see a dr if I had any signs of infection and he cut them out. My hubby usually does them for me but has told me I need to see a dr.

I kind of feel the same thing about stab wounds or getting shot or hit by a car or Major trauma. Note: Take me university hospital for major trauma. Just a broken leg, I can go anywhere.

I once had an ingrown thumbnail. That was a bear and a half. It was when I was working for hospital labs, too, there was no telling what I had gotten into. They treated it like a workman;s comp case. Turned out to be Pseudomonas. I was excused for a week, took 2, work because I was handled every hunk of equipment that came throgh. IV anibiotics, 2 paid weeks off of work, another week of light duty, but that son of a gun hurt like hell before it completely drained. Ever try to type with a splint on yout right thumb?
Posted 11/24/2012 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
LC! No never tried to type with a splint on my fingers but so far am able to look after my own fingernails. It's the toenails I have a problem with due to my back. It takes me about 15 minutes to put socks on because I have to find the perfect position to be able to reach my feet.
I finally made that podiatrist appt so for 30 bucks he will look at my feet. The nurse said the surgery to fix them is not included in price but the doctor will fill me in. Sounds like another appt like my mole removal, they wanted 350 dollars to laser off 2 moles but if they cut them off there would be a tiny scar..no charge for that though, I said get out the knife.
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