Ingrown toenail?

[echelon]

What is the treatment for one of these? I've had one for about 15 years and I don't like going to the doctor. I dug it out of the skin the other day and it hurt like hell and it always ends up infected. I used some of the chickens gentian violet on it and it's been fine so far, but my entire toenail is now purple!

Has anybody here had one? I dunno if they still remove them then kill the nail bed to prevent it returning. The NHS doesn't seem to treat stuff like this anymore - it's just left up to you to sort out and I'm NOT going to see the chiropodist!

[liskeardjane]

Quite simply get this sorted - had it for 15 years!!!! Yes the GP will refer you to minor surgery and it will get fixed. you will be seen within six seeks and treated within 18 weeks of that! we still have free health care.get it whilst you can! Sorry to sound bossy but suffering from fear or stubborness is just not needed.

[Nellie]

Now I remember seeing a self-help strip of illustrations about ingrowing toenails.

It said to use a piece of floss - the stuff you use between your teeth, but the string type, not the tape. Cut a length, say 12", and slip it gently under the corner of the ingrowing nail. Then with sharp scissors trim the ends either side, so you are left with about ¼" each side.

This apparently 'lifts' the nail sufficiently for it to grow and eases pain. The floss can be renewed when needed.

Please note that I have not tried this, just thought it was something I may need to know in the future.

[echelon]

Ooo, do you just leave the floss sitting there? I'll try to have a look on the 'net about that and give it a go.

I can't be bothered with going to see the doctor about stuff unless I really can't treat it myself. I find doctors patronising and they never actually listen to what you're saying - I find this intolerable and will therefore have nothing to do with them unless it's absolutely unavoidable.

[manda]

ALL ABOUT INGROWN NAILS.....WIKI STYLE!!!....(some pics are a bit gross so be warned) (can you tell feet not really my thing )

Manda

[Meanqueen]

That's a very interesting article Manda, thanks. I have discovered I am cutting my toenails wrong. I trim the sides and it says you should cut them straight across, but I have never had a problem. Wonder if I should start doing it the right way?

Ilona

[Mrs Fuzzywig]

My son had this problem when he was a teenager, he went in to hospital as a day case where they removed a strip of nail on one side, it didn't take long, was sore for a few days, problem sorted.
I understand why you don't want to go to your GP, I'm just the same, I suffer with all sorts of things but I hate hospitals and waiting rooms so go on suffering, which is ridiculous really but you just get used to things don't you?

[Ingrown fingernails]

Soak the fingernail in warm salty water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Do this three or four times in the day. This will soften the nails and make it easier for you to trim it

[albertajune]

I do agree that you should go to your GP. However for what it's worth, yes make sure that the nail is cut straight across and years ago the home treatment for this was to cut a small V in the centre of the nail. Not sure how well it worked though but worth trying if really terrified of the medical way.
I do sympathise with you.

[Caz-N-Chooks]

My 12 year old son has had both his done (one only last week) on the NHS only waited about 6 weeks waiting, in & out in an hour, healed within a couple of weeks.

Get to the doctors it's not worth putting up with the pain, my son says it's like walking on air since having his done.

[madmum]

If a twelve year old can do it........ Dont suffer!! you could get septecemia that will go up your leg!!!!!

[Sunny B]

That's a very interesting article Manda, thanks. I have discovered I am cutting my toenails wrong. I trim the sides and it says you should cut them straight across, but I have never had a problem. Wonder if I should start doing it the right way?

Ilona

I should think with all the walking you do you'd have had problems before now if your technique was wrong, so I'd carry on as you are!
I cut my nails straight across, but they have started ingrowing anyway.