I had to get surgery for mine. Full on, 8 shots, the real deal. Then again, I left it for almost a year before I went to the doctor about it :/
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Ingrown Toe Nail?
- Thread starter Mark Wilson
- Start date
I love ingrown nails, lol. It doesn't bother me and at the same time, an ambulatory nail surgery gives you 1 week rest from the army. 
In my experiance it's allmost impossible to take care of yourself. Mostly becuase you can't imagine how much nail is under the skin at the side of your toe. You might think your really digging in and getting it out but it's like the perverbial tip of the iceburg, there's so much more down there that you will never get and it will probably come right back. I had the surgury done where they cut the sides of the nail, way back and then coterize it with some kind of acid so it doesn't grow back. Sounds weird and nasty but so far so good. Point is, I was shocked when the doc pulled all the nail out of the side, right before he cut it off, at just how much was down there and how I would have Never been able to get at it.
You could have gotten it! Last summer I pulled almost an inch of toenail out of the side of my toe. Instant relief.
I don't know why I have so many stories about ITs, but here goes:
I've had 2 bad ones -- mostly from soccer, and wearing boots that are 1-1/2 sizes too small (on purpose, no less). In my hometown we had a phenomenal podiatrist -- 4 shots, and I swear, I never felt a thing...it was like he was just pushing my foot around...then like magic he was holding a shard of bloody toenail. Pretty cool. And My toenail always grew back and looked the same size after it healed. I mention that because...
I had a cousin get an IT removed, and they practically chopped half her toenail out in the process. When it healed, she had one bizarre looking half-toenail...really upset her.
My second one happened when I was in college, and I tried the local clinic to get it handled. The doc there was so bad that he tried the nerve blocks twice (about 6 shots total), started digging in, and when I yelped, and said "I can COMPLETELY feel that!" he replied with the greatest line "I think I can get it -- can I try again?" At which point I put on my sock and arranged a trip home to see the reliable podiatrist...
And I've had a few bouts with what I THINK are nearly ingrown toenails. For those, I do the cotton under the toenail thing, and I douse the toe in alcohol as often as I can, pulling at the skin to try to get the alcohol worked in. It definitely clears things up, but I have no way of knowing whether those are, in fact, ITs in the making...
My uncle, on the other hand, works at an aluminum processing plant in Texas. He went to the company clinic for one once. The doc said "let me take a look" pulled out a pair of those fine jeweler's style needle-nose pliers, slid them down along the edge, under and over the nail, snapped it over, and broke off the ingrown portion, doused it with antiseptic, slapped a bandaid, and sent him (my uncle) back to work. My uncle is tough, but that's still f'd up! (quick note: welcome to healthcare when you're not in a strong employable position!)
Don't forget -- for ANY of the home rememdies, soak for a good long time first (with epsom salts if possible) -- everything is easier when that toenail is really soft.
Fun stuff...
I've had 2 bad ones -- mostly from soccer, and wearing boots that are 1-1/2 sizes too small (on purpose, no less). In my hometown we had a phenomenal podiatrist -- 4 shots, and I swear, I never felt a thing...it was like he was just pushing my foot around...then like magic he was holding a shard of bloody toenail. Pretty cool. And My toenail always grew back and looked the same size after it healed. I mention that because...
I had a cousin get an IT removed, and they practically chopped half her toenail out in the process. When it healed, she had one bizarre looking half-toenail...really upset her.
My second one happened when I was in college, and I tried the local clinic to get it handled. The doc there was so bad that he tried the nerve blocks twice (about 6 shots total), started digging in, and when I yelped, and said "I can COMPLETELY feel that!" he replied with the greatest line "I think I can get it -- can I try again?" At which point I put on my sock and arranged a trip home to see the reliable podiatrist...
And I've had a few bouts with what I THINK are nearly ingrown toenails. For those, I do the cotton under the toenail thing, and I douse the toe in alcohol as often as I can, pulling at the skin to try to get the alcohol worked in. It definitely clears things up, but I have no way of knowing whether those are, in fact, ITs in the making...
My uncle, on the other hand, works at an aluminum processing plant in Texas. He went to the company clinic for one once. The doc said "let me take a look" pulled out a pair of those fine jeweler's style needle-nose pliers, slid them down along the edge, under and over the nail, snapped it over, and broke off the ingrown portion, doused it with antiseptic, slapped a bandaid, and sent him (my uncle) back to work. My uncle is tough, but that's still f'd up! (quick note: welcome to healthcare when you're not in a strong employable position!)
Don't forget -- for ANY of the home rememdies, soak for a good long time first (with epsom salts if possible) -- everything is easier when that toenail is really soft.
Fun stuff...
Go to a pediatrist.
I've had 7 ingrown toenail surgeries, 3 on one foot and 4 on the other. All on the big toes...
. Just a few months ago I had what will hopefully be my last, where they took out the nail bed on the sides of my toe so it will be impossible for nail to grow there.
About there being way more nail than you would think, that's definitely true IME. Last time the doctor pulled out a shard of nail almost the size of a quarter, it had been growing deeper and deeper down at an angle... ouch.
The surgeries aren't really that bad, can't really feel anything (thank god for lidocaine).
I actually read a book during the last surgery.
Plus they get you out of gym for a week or two!
I've had 7 ingrown toenail surgeries, 3 on one foot and 4 on the other. All on the big toes...
. Just a few months ago I had what will hopefully be my last, where they took out the nail bed on the sides of my toe so it will be impossible for nail to grow there. About there being way more nail than you would think, that's definitely true IME. Last time the doctor pulled out a shard of nail almost the size of a quarter, it had been growing deeper and deeper down at an angle... ouch.
The surgeries aren't really that bad, can't really feel anything (thank god for lidocaine).
I actually read a book during the last surgery.
Plus they get you out of gym for a week or two!
