TREATMENT FOR INGROWN TOENAILS
What is an ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail is curved downward and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe – the ingrown toenail.
How is an ingrown toenail treated
A painful condition that may have been present for many years can be ended in one visit. We offer same day in office correction of ingrown toenails. Sometimes an infection can require a course antibiotics before surgery can be performed. There are two different types of in-office surgical correction that can be performed on an ingrown toenail. If this is the first time the infection or “ingrown” nail has occurred, then performing a temporary removal (nail avulsion) of the painful border of the toenail is usual procedure of choice. If the ingrown nail is chronic and has been occurring on an off for several years, then a permanent removed of the nail border is recommended. The permanent procedure (nail matrixectomy) involves a chemical burn in addition to the nail avulsion which may take a week longer to recover from than the typical 2 weeks (recovery in this case would be mild draining from the burn and activity is usually not hindered).
How to tell if you have an ingrown toenail
Ingrown toenails may or may not present with all the signs and symptoms of infection. Pain around the toenail may be the start of the nail beginning to push into the skin which creates the ingrown toenail. Many patients will treat this at home for years without realizing a simple in office procedure can prevent this from reoccurring. It is also important to stop this from turning into a severe ingrown toenail which can also happen sometimes leading to hospitalization as a result of a severe infection of the toe.
Treatment of an ingrown toenail has a low reoccurrence rate and is highly effective. However, sometimes a nail spicule can occur. If you have had ingrown toenail surgery in the past have have seen a nail spiculeoccur these can be resolved with a redo of the procedure.
Ingrown toenails may or may not present with all the signs and symptoms of infection. Pain around the toenail may be the start of the nail beginning to push into the skin which creates the ingrown toenail. Many patients will treat this at home for years without realizing a simple in office procedure can prevent this from reoccurring. It is also important to stop this from turning into a severe ingrown toenail which can also happen sometimes leading to hospitalization as a result of a severe infection of the toe.
Treatment of an ingrown toenail has a low reoccurrence rate and is highly effective. However, sometimes a nail spicule can occur. If you have had ingrown toenail surgery in the past have have seen a nail spiculeoccur these can be resolved with a redo of the procedure.
Dr. Campitelli performs a high volume of surgical removal of ingrown toenails in his office which has allowed him and the staff to make this a painless experience.
In Office Surgery
Dr. Campitelli performs a high volume of surgical removal of ingrown toenails in his office which has allowed him and the staff to make this a painless experience. Most patients can get in the same day they call for an appointment and in office surgery can be performed that day. Our office treats patients of all ages ranging from toddlers to elderly patients.
If you have an ingrown toenail do not wait to get it fixed as the infection can worsen leading to permanent nail damage.
Recovery period after removal of an ingrown toenail
You can read more about the recovery period after having surgery for an ingrown toenail by clicking here for Dr. Campitelli’s post-operative instructions for ingrown toenail surgery.
Ingrown Toenail Surgery Videos
Recent Posts
April 1, 2021
April 1, 2021
August 8, 2020
August 6, 2020
August 2, 2020
August 1, 2020