Causes And Treatments For An Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toe nail can be a painful condition caused due to several factors; the
condition is a result of abnormal growth of the toenail as well as the tissue that surrounds the nail and the nail bed.
How is the condition caused?
When a toe nail; particularly part of the toe nail at the sides of the toe, grows into the surrounding skin inflammation is caused which may in time lead to an infection. There will be redness, pain and discharge from the infected area.
What causes the condition?
There are several factors that may lead to the condition such as wearing improper shoes that exert too much pressure on the toenail or if you trim your toe nails inappropriately. The condition may also have a genetic link or can be aggravated by an injury to the nail bed.
The treatment:
In the initial stages of the condition, soaking your foot in salt water or in warm water containing anti bacterial soap helps. You may also want to wear opened toed foot wear to take the pressure off your toenails. Do not cut your toenails and let them grow out naturally above the surrounding tissue and use an anti bacterial preparation on the affected area.
If the condition recurs very often, your doctor may recommend surgical intervention to treat the condition permanently. An ingrown toe nail surgery will involve the removal of the area of the nail that is prone to in growth. In more severe cases, the portion of the toe nail may be removed with the underlying tissue to prevent it from growing back. This can be done trough the use of chemicals such as Phenol, through an electric current or through surgery.
There is very little discomfort associated with the surgical procedure and it is conducted under the influence of local anesthesia; however, general anesthesia can also be used for patients who do not want to have the surgery conducted when they are awake
Pre surgery:
You will need to apprise the doctor about your medical history; particularly if you have problems such as diabetes which may quickly worsen the condition and may even lead to gangrene.
Post surgery:
If you are medically fit, the surgery is conducted as an outpatient procedure and you can leave right after the surgery if a friend or family member can drive you back. You will need to rest your foot for at least 2-3 days after the procedure; the sutures will be removed after 2 weeks. You will be able to resume your normal activities such as driving etc within two weeks of the surgery; however, you should wait till the toe nail has completely healed to return to strenuous activities such as jogging and sports.
Complications:
Like all other surgical procedures, ingrown toe nail surgery also has its fair share of complications and these should be discussed with a specialist. However, this procedure has a very high success rate and a very low rate of complications. The doctor will examine your foot and your general health before conducting the surgery to minimize risks. Despite this, some complications may arise. Apart from the general risks associated with surgical procedures; there are some specific risks that can come into play after an ingrown toe nail surgery such as
* Chance of recurrence (5% to 8%)
* Reaction to the chemical used to remove the nail and the underlying tissue
* Inclusion cysts
The costs:
The cost of the procedure depends on the type of surgery conducted and can range from a few hundred to a thousand dollars.
by: Andrew Long
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