Hey,
Ive had 3 toenail removal operations now with a total number of 7 overall toenails being removed.
The injections leading up to the procedure are vile, really painful - in all my cases I have had to have 3 injections in the toes (2 on either side and 1 down the end of the toe) not the usual 2 on each side. You cant feel anything during the 'operation' obviously, but when the anesthetic wears off its very painful for the first day and night. The pain will be there for about 3 weeks in some form or another (and maybe intense itching if you've had stitches). I have had a particularly bad run with these operations, I don't think all of them are like this, in fact most people seem to be fine the day after - it all depends on the condition you've let your toe get to before the op - just get it sorted as soon as possible - its gonna come out eventually so you may as well get it sooner rather than later (which I didn't and now regret).
Hope any of that helps...
Ive had 3 toenail removal operations now with a total number of 7 overall toenails being removed.
The injections leading up to the procedure are vile, really painful - in all my cases I have had to have 3 injections in the toes (2 on either side and 1 down the end of the toe) not the usual 2 on each side. You cant feel anything during the 'operation' obviously, but when the anesthetic wears off its very painful for the first day and night. The pain will be there for about 3 weeks in some form or another (and maybe intense itching if you've had stitches). I have had a particularly bad run with these operations, I don't think all of them are like this, in fact most people seem to be fine the day after - it all depends on the condition you've let your toe get to before the op - just get it sorted as soon as possible - its gonna come out eventually so you may as well get it sooner rather than later (which I didn't and now regret).
Hope any of that helps...
how bad does the injection hurt?
I apologize for the wall of text here.
I'm having both sides of my left big toenail removed in about a month and a half.
Now, I've had ingrown toenails on both big toes for as long as I can remember (I'm 19 in 2months), and probably ingrown nails for 13years or more, because of this they are also killing the nail matrix for both sides.
I am also PETRIFIED of needles, and those of you who have a needle phobia, read on. It might help and you might not have to endure the local anesthesia if you're lucky.
4months ago I ended up being rushed to the ER by my fiance because I couldn't walk anymore, it was horrendously infected, and all I could do was just sit on the couch and cry. DO NOT LEAVE IT THIS LONG. I URGE YOU! If you have an ingrown toenail, see your doctor. Don't be embarassed..I found out this was incredibly common. I ended up being put in 3 courses of antibiotics to rid myself of the terrible infection, and I was set up to have the procedure done in my doctors office.
I went to see my doctor for a followup of the ER, and told her my fear of needles, I started crying just thinking of them and instead of having the procedure done there, she was sympathetic enough to see it really was a phobia as opposed to a fear of pain, and she set me up to see a surgeon so I would be given a general anesthesia instead of a local anesthesia.
I just saw my surgeon at the beginning of this week and he told me I'd be sleeping during the whole procedure, which is a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm afraid of the IV that needs to be given to me, but it's that or nothing, and I'll have my mom and fiance there to help me with it (I feel like an id**t needing them to hold my hands for 1 IV..but it's what I've gotta do). The only reason I'm able to get the general anesthesia is because our hospital in our small down is not busy and therefore we have the extra equipment and room to use. If you live in a big city with a very busy hospital, you might be out of luck..but ask anyways, you never know.
I have a question for those of you who actually read all of that.
I'm wondering what kind of complications you've experienced after the surgery, and for what to expect.
I was told it might be 4 weeks before I'm able to work after the surgery (closed toe is a must, and I'm on my feet for 8hrs).
What do you recommend for pain relief, swelling, etc? I know most of these questions will be answered by my surgeon, however it's good to hear personal experiences.
How long did it take to get back on your foot, or did you need crutches for a while? I'm curious of this because I'll be home alone all day and I'm just wondering how hard it's going to be for me to move my ass around the house to go to the bathroom, get food, feed the cat, etc..or is it going to have to be a case of needing someone to stay with me for a few days until it heals enough to limp my way around?
I'm having both sides of my left big toenail removed in about a month and a half.
Now, I've had ingrown toenails on both big toes for as long as I can remember (I'm 19 in 2months), and probably ingrown nails for 13years or more, because of this they are also killing the nail matrix for both sides.
I am also PETRIFIED of needles, and those of you who have a needle phobia, read on. It might help and you might not have to endure the local anesthesia if you're lucky.
4months ago I ended up being rushed to the ER by my fiance because I couldn't walk anymore, it was horrendously infected, and all I could do was just sit on the couch and cry. DO NOT LEAVE IT THIS LONG. I URGE YOU! If you have an ingrown toenail, see your doctor. Don't be embarassed..I found out this was incredibly common. I ended up being put in 3 courses of antibiotics to rid myself of the terrible infection, and I was set up to have the procedure done in my doctors office.
I went to see my doctor for a followup of the ER, and told her my fear of needles, I started crying just thinking of them and instead of having the procedure done there, she was sympathetic enough to see it really was a phobia as opposed to a fear of pain, and she set me up to see a surgeon so I would be given a general anesthesia instead of a local anesthesia.
I just saw my surgeon at the beginning of this week and he told me I'd be sleeping during the whole procedure, which is a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm afraid of the IV that needs to be given to me, but it's that or nothing, and I'll have my mom and fiance there to help me with it (I feel like an id**t needing them to hold my hands for 1 IV..but it's what I've gotta do). The only reason I'm able to get the general anesthesia is because our hospital in our small down is not busy and therefore we have the extra equipment and room to use. If you live in a big city with a very busy hospital, you might be out of luck..but ask anyways, you never know.
I have a question for those of you who actually read all of that.
I'm wondering what kind of complications you've experienced after the surgery, and for what to expect.
I was told it might be 4 weeks before I'm able to work after the surgery (closed toe is a must, and I'm on my feet for 8hrs).
What do you recommend for pain relief, swelling, etc? I know most of these questions will be answered by my surgeon, however it's good to hear personal experiences.
How long did it take to get back on your foot, or did you need crutches for a while? I'm curious of this because I'll be home alone all day and I'm just wondering how hard it's going to be for me to move my ass around the house to go to the bathroom, get food, feed the cat, etc..or is it going to have to be a case of needing someone to stay with me for a few days until it heals enough to limp my way around?
if u cut a v at the top of ur nailit should grow back in place it worked for me
When I got my ingrown toenail removed, I did on a Thursday. The toe was ingrown on both sides and very badly infected. I had to wear a surgical boot for the weekend (because the bandage was huge). On Monday, they took the bandage off and the toe had drained and was looking semi-normal again. I could wear my boots just fine. I had to keep a small bandage over the toe because it was still draining, but I could easily fit it inside my boot. I didn't need crutches or anything. I walked out off the doc's office 15 minutes after he was done and drove the 30 minutes home.
I took some Alieve when I got home and put an ice pack on it right after the procedure.
You won't be running out the doc's office, but you can walk around just fine. About a week after the procedure, I was back to running. You won't need anyone to help you around.
I took some Alieve when I got home and put an ice pack on it right after the procedure.
You won't be running out the doc's office, but you can walk around just fine. About a week after the procedure, I was back to running. You won't need anyone to help you around.
With a large finger nail file, file down the top surface of the nail, from the tip, back to the cuticle, where it makes the sharp bend down into the flesh - the 'spine' I call it. File it down until the curvature of nail seems uniform from side to side. This takes a fair amount of time and elbow grease. This will make the nail much more flexible and not so prone to driven into the flesh by the pressure of standing, walking, etc.
I had ingrowns on both big toes for 18 months. 36 hours after doing this, all discomfort was gone, and six months later, there just fine and I've not had to file them down since.
I had ingrowns on both big toes for 18 months. 36 hours after doing this, all discomfort was gone, and six months later, there just fine and I've not had to file them down since.
hi
dont be scared i had one and i went throught with the op and the drs did nice jobe just took the infeced parts away where bleedin a bit but is cool
dont be scared i had one and i went throught with the op and the drs did nice jobe just took the infeced parts away where bleedin a bit but is cool
Thanks, this is really helpful info. I'm 13 too and deciding if i should get it done- after reading all the comments on here i think i will! x
Thanks for the salt water soak/cotton ball remedy. If I knew I had a ingrown toe nail, I would have tried that when it first started.
Because the edge of my nail did not appear to be cutting into my skin (the ingrown part was up at the top of the nail by the cuticle) I thought the pain was just from pinching in my shoes. When I went to the foot surgeon today (my other foot/ankle is healing from a break/surgery) I thought I'd show him the red toe on the other foot.
My Doc told me what it was and what he was going to do. He gave me two or three shots of Lidocane. I leaned back in the chair and after 1 sharp prick (lasting 3 seconds) I didn't feel any other pain during the procedure. He came back a few minutes later and my big toe was completely numb. I didn't watch, but he told me he was going to cut the edge of my nail out which was embedded in my toe and was badly infected. I saw a bottle of (forgot the name, but the stuff which inhibits the nail bed growing back that bit of nail) phenol? and felt him swab my toe gently with a qtip on the cuticle edge.
My toe remained numb for a few hours and then hours later began to throb and ache (it only hurt a bit more than the worst days with the ingrown nail/infection, which I thought was just chaffing from walking with one foot on crutches). It is bandaged up nicely.
For aftercare: my Doctor told me to soak it 1-2 times a day in Epson salts for a 7 days. He said to use warm not hot water for this. I'm not sure if I should start soaking it tonight? Any one have experience with this? Thinking of just letting it be overnight and then soaking it in the morning.
Breaking an ankle is soooooooo much more painful than ingrown toenail. If you haven't broken your ankle.. oooh you have no idea. ;) Lucky! If you can fix your ingrown toe nail early on with the cotton ball thing (before it gets infected) that is probably the best solution. But the Doc procedure really wasn't bad or too painful, IMHO. But from reading stories above, go to someone who is experienced and who seems good at what they do. If you don't like the doctor, better to just leave and find someone you like. Sorry to hear some people's Doc's weren't good. That is no fun. I am lucky I have a great foot and ankle surgeon. I hate my eye doctor and would love a good Opthamologist suggestion for the Seattle area.
Because the edge of my nail did not appear to be cutting into my skin (the ingrown part was up at the top of the nail by the cuticle) I thought the pain was just from pinching in my shoes. When I went to the foot surgeon today (my other foot/ankle is healing from a break/surgery) I thought I'd show him the red toe on the other foot.
My Doc told me what it was and what he was going to do. He gave me two or three shots of Lidocane. I leaned back in the chair and after 1 sharp prick (lasting 3 seconds) I didn't feel any other pain during the procedure. He came back a few minutes later and my big toe was completely numb. I didn't watch, but he told me he was going to cut the edge of my nail out which was embedded in my toe and was badly infected. I saw a bottle of (forgot the name, but the stuff which inhibits the nail bed growing back that bit of nail) phenol? and felt him swab my toe gently with a qtip on the cuticle edge.
My toe remained numb for a few hours and then hours later began to throb and ache (it only hurt a bit more than the worst days with the ingrown nail/infection, which I thought was just chaffing from walking with one foot on crutches). It is bandaged up nicely.
For aftercare: my Doctor told me to soak it 1-2 times a day in Epson salts for a 7 days. He said to use warm not hot water for this. I'm not sure if I should start soaking it tonight? Any one have experience with this? Thinking of just letting it be overnight and then soaking it in the morning.
Breaking an ankle is soooooooo much more painful than ingrown toenail. If you haven't broken your ankle.. oooh you have no idea. ;) Lucky! If you can fix your ingrown toe nail early on with the cotton ball thing (before it gets infected) that is probably the best solution. But the Doc procedure really wasn't bad or too painful, IMHO. But from reading stories above, go to someone who is experienced and who seems good at what they do. If you don't like the doctor, better to just leave and find someone you like. Sorry to hear some people's Doc's weren't good. That is no fun. I am lucky I have a great foot and ankle surgeon. I hate my eye doctor and would love a good Opthamologist suggestion for the Seattle area.
Ingrown toes can get really painful and infected. I've had to get them cut out once, and today I had to get them cut out a second time. I had to get both of my big toes operated on at the podiatrist today. I have deep, curved toenails, so it was really painful getting the surgery. Unfortunatly I have to go back in January and get a laser surgery on both of them. The procedure of cutting them out isn't all that bad. It relieved some of my pain. Once it first gets ingrown, you should never hold it off. I did both of my times and it got very infected. I'm a bit nervous for my laser surgery, but I'd rather go through that than have ingrown toes forever! I need some advice about the surgery. Can anyone help me out? :-(
I actually have the same problem with both of my toe's.
All you need to do is get scissors or something to cut into your nail.
If you look at the toe facing up you just cut into the side of where the ingrowing is taken place .
Only cut in about half-an-centimeter to 1 cm (depending on how much you can cut in).
Then you take some pinchers or tweezers or something to get hold of you nail (DO NOT DO IT WITH YOU'RE FINGERS)!
Pull The toenail back until it pulls out of the root. This is pretty painful but to prevent it from happening again, do this once a week for about 3or 4 weeks. It should be less painful if you soak your foot in warm SALTY water.
I've done this alot of times and it doesn't come back for another 2 months.
Sometimes it doesn't come back at all.
TIPS:
- Soak for about 15 minutes in warm salty water.
- Use proper equipment not hands, fingers or anything else like this.
- If the toes get bloody then use some bacterial removal on a cotton wool/bud and smoothly wipe.
- When you have done this procedure you may file the side so it is straight and grows back straight.
Good luck!
All you need to do is get scissors or something to cut into your nail.
If you look at the toe facing up you just cut into the side of where the ingrowing is taken place .
Only cut in about half-an-centimeter to 1 cm (depending on how much you can cut in).
Then you take some pinchers or tweezers or something to get hold of you nail (DO NOT DO IT WITH YOU'RE FINGERS)!
Pull The toenail back until it pulls out of the root. This is pretty painful but to prevent it from happening again, do this once a week for about 3or 4 weeks. It should be less painful if you soak your foot in warm SALTY water.
I've done this alot of times and it doesn't come back for another 2 months.
Sometimes it doesn't come back at all.
TIPS:
- Soak for about 15 minutes in warm salty water.
- Use proper equipment not hands, fingers or anything else like this.
- If the toes get bloody then use some bacterial removal on a cotton wool/bud and smoothly wipe.
- When you have done this procedure you may file the side so it is straight and grows back straight.
Good luck!
Don't worry the procedure takes less than 30 minutes. The worst part that i remember was the journey to the surgery. :-D
If you are serious about finding an alternative to surgery, there are other options. I have written a book on home remedies for severely ingrown toenails, which is available here:
Regards
Regards
heyy,
Im 14 years old and i just had mine removed two days ago, i cant feel ay pain at all. At first i was terrified of going to have it removed, i still havnt seen whats under my bandage but that comes off tonight. Also the injections are the most ainful part. Depending on how bad it is sometimes doctors will remove the whole nail, i think mine was completely removed but i didnt watch it, i was too scared to see it. After it is removed you are not supposed to do any physical exercise for 2 weeks. After that i think you can.
Im 14 years old and i just had mine removed two days ago, i cant feel ay pain at all. At first i was terrified of going to have it removed, i still havnt seen whats under my bandage but that comes off tonight. Also the injections are the most ainful part. Depending on how bad it is sometimes doctors will remove the whole nail, i think mine was completely removed but i didnt watch it, i was too scared to see it. After it is removed you are not supposed to do any physical exercise for 2 weeks. After that i think you can.
Okay this is like first dangerous and second with most people it makes it worse because that unprotected skin your nail will try to cover so the next ingrown toe nail will be even worse!!! I should know I'm going to have to have mine removed because i did the same thing and now they are so bad I can't even touch they :(