Ingrowing toenail

ssbib

Not had one in 15 years but now I've got one on my big toe on the right foot. There's a little pain but it's more annoying than anything else. I'm currently massaging the area win moisturising cream and gently pulling the skin away from the affected area. This is how I got rid of my old one but that took a long time (but that was infected and pretty nasty). Does anyone have any tips on ways of getting rid of it?

Charlts

See a chiropodist, it's how mine got sorted.

ssbib

What did they do and how long did it take to sort out?

ufitsy

I had a hot bath, then soaked my foot for 20 mins in warm water, my nail had then gone really soft and I could get to it without too much pain to remove the side bit.

ssbib

That sounds good but I think it could backfire if I'm not careful enough. I go on holiday tomorrow and don't want to make it worse. I might give this a go when I return of its not any better. Thanks.

Charlts

Procedure under local anesthetic, removed the offending part of both big toe nails and did something to the nail bed to stop it happening again. Took about an hour and I was back at work straight after, albeit shoe less. From memory I was back on the Rugby pitch about a week to ten days after. It would be about 13-14 years ago I had it done.

ssbib

That doesn't sound too bad. Will stick with my cream during my holiday but if it gets worse or is no better by the time I come back I might go and get this done.

PSM1

I had this a few months ago and there is a drop in podiatry clinic close to me (worth checking if there is one near you) run by the NHS. I turned up, waited my turn and saw the nurse who proceeded to cut the offending bits of nail away and smooth the edges. So far (done in October) I have had no further issues. There was no pain etc. and was out running that evening.

ssbib

That's good to know. I will have a look at this. Thanks.

Edit: there is one near me but only on Wednesday mornings. Will have to have a look after my holiday. Thanks for informing me about this though.

shodan

I didn't take care of mine.  I broke both big toes in a karate competition.  Over months they became swollen and the nails become ingrowing and then got infected.  Nasty, stinky pus oozing and mega painful..  Went to Dr's and got an appointment for hospital to have them taken out.  By then the nails on both big toes had grown under the skin and  were heading towards the bottom of the toe and the whole area was infected and swollen.  Even putting on socks was blisteringly painfull and I was walking with a limp.
The hospital appointment was for a few months away and was for the day before my 21st birthday..
Couldn't wait that long so got drunk one night and using nail clippers, tweezers, razor blades and a bunch of towels, I started on the toe on the right foot.  Had to cut deep and all the way round and under and slowly cut away at it.  The pus and the stench was unbelievable!

But the worst thing was once I'd got through and cut it all away, I had to do the second one because if I'd stopped, I'd never had got started again.

So don't be like me, get to the Dr's and get it sorted.  I promise it will be quicker and less painful than my method!