Ingrown Toenails – Surgery Solves Foot Problem

Foot problems do not appear only in summer and, therefore, at a time when slippers and sandals are replaced by boots and shoes, extra care is needed to avoid situations such as ingrown toenails.

Here Dr Shweta from Cosmoderm Centre – a skin clinic in Indiranagar  explain the procedure and details of removing ingrown toenails.

The definitive therapy to treat ingrown nails is a small surgical intervention, with local anesthesia on the big toe, in order to avoid any pain at the time of the procedure. In this treatment, only the ingrown part of the nail is removed, which rubs against the soft tissues.

Surgery consists of a combination of two procedures: matricectomy and canthoplasty. According to the expert, the first one aims to block the matrix of the ingrown part of the nail preventing it from growing back and ingrowing again. Singing, on the other hand, considered the complement of the first treatment, consists of the removal of the ingrown part. One procedure should not be done without the other.

Surgical acts take about 15 minutes to perform and, as a general rule, the patient usually reports a feeling of immediate relief, as there is no more friction between the inflamed skin and the nail itself.

After surgery, a bandage is applied to the affected finger. The recovery time is between one and three weeks. One week after the procedure, it is already possible to return to physical activity. Once the procedure is performed, patients should be especially careful when cutting their nails. If possible, they should choose to do it after the shower, when the nails are softer.

Men are the ones who suffer the most from ingrown toenails for reasons associated with sports activities.

However, women who wear V-shaped shoes, too tight at the front, may also suffer from the problem. Prevention involves, according to the expert, wear wider shoes at the front and avoid cutting the corners of the nail, which is what damages the skin. When there are lesions, however small, these are an open door for bacteria to enter and cause infections.

The way the nails are cut influences the likelihood that the person will have ingrown nails. The experts advise patients to cut the nails in a more square way, since when the cut is round, there is a greater tendency for the person to cut so close to the skin at the corners that it ends up causing wounds. Nail cutting can be done by the person, at home, using a nail clipper or scissors.

The problem of ingrown nails should be prevented early. Parents should therefore cut their nails correctly for the little ones. According to experts, the clinical situation mostly affects adolescents and adults. Dermatologist suggests that like these age groups, babies’ nails should also be cut straight and not too short.

Check out the general questions about the ingrown nail surgery:

How can the patient identify if he has an ingrown nail?

Locally, in the nail, the so-called granulation tissue with inflammation and pus appears. The corners of the nail are stuck in the flesh, which causes infection and a lot of pain for the patient.

What is the reason that surgery is the only treatment that is 100{875765ca0e8cbe9b6d6c0abc3ab4a1bff6ac63d38a17cd8746f9cff2627e5182} effective?

With this procedure, no cut is made on the skin with an open wound. The visible part of the nail is maintained, which is important for aesthetic reasons. Once the nail root cells are obliterated, the problem is solved once and for all and no longer appears.

What care is needed after this intervention?

It is important to keep the wound clean and dry.

Advice to avoid ingrown nail

The feet are the basis of the balance of the human being. They are, therefore, a region that deserves special care and attention. Change your socks every day and wash your feet daily with an antiseptic. Dry well, especially between the fingers because they are a more humid region, conducive to the spread of fungi and bacteria. Moisturize your skin well. Do not forget to always wear comfortable shoes that do not pinch your feet.

To ensure that the nails and skin of the feet remain healthy, you should opt for cotton socks and ventilate and change your shoes regularly. Foot hygiene should be done using the neutral pH soap.