I tried to fix this myself with a cuticle clipper and I think I messed up, because this AM my toe is red and swollen. I washed the area thoroughly and put on antibacterial ointment...does anyone else get these? They are so gross and painful and I can usually carefully fix it myself, but I seem to have botched it this time. Sorry if TMI!
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I feel your pain! If it is infected you may have to go to a podiatrist and have them treat it for you. I've had to do that before.
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i used to get these all the time when i danced - it used to help to soak it in epsom salt before trying to fix it - hope it starts feeling better!
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I did but I ended up getting surgery
They were too awful and there was no real fix. It just prolonged the inevitable and I was tired of being in pain all the time. Since I got them fixed about 3 years ago, I have had ZERO pain and ZERO issues, though. It was totally, 100% worth it.
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I used to get these every few months. the Dr. would go in and clip them for me (taking the whole side of my nail off to the root), well they kept growing back wrong and caused me so much pain. I eventually had surgery to fix it, I think they burned the nerves in there so it couldn't grow back. in that area. I may be using the wrong words but you can't even tell, I still have a full toenail and no problems!!
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I used to get them a lot too, I would always "fix" it myself though
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I almost made a thread like this earlier! I swear I constantly have an ingrown toenail. Only on my big toes. I actually have one right now that hurts so effing bad. I've had the surgery but it only helped for about 6 months.
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I've had them before. Usually (knock on wood), they go away on their own eventually. Only once have I made it so bad that I had to go to the doctor. Not fun!
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I used to. Blegh hate ingrown nails!
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Yes, I get them all the time. I have stopped cutting my toenails for this reason. Plus, just another excuse to go and get a pedicure.
If it is still bad in a couple days, I would go to the doctor/urgent care. I have had them so bad that I had to get antibiotics.
You can also soak your foot in a tub of hot water with Epsom salt. That will help with the soreness.
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Yep. I just had the surgery because like you, I used to take care of them myself but it didn't work one time and got infected. They cauterize the nail root of the problem area so it doesn't grow back. So far so good but I've read they can grow back in a few months. If its still red and swollen tomorrow I would see a doctor. Mine said that the infection could spread to your toe bone and that freaked me out.
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Ugh! I've gotten them quite a bit since having P! Last one I got was all the down at the nailbed!
I found this on a home remedy site to help them from re-occuring. I must admit that I didn't do this am just waiting to see if I get another one... if I do then I'm TOTALLY doing it!
" take a small small piece of a cotton ball.. some iodine over the toe or Merthiolate Take the piece of cotton and poke it all down the side of the toe with a toothpick. Poke it in there as far as it can go. The cotton should be all down the side of the toe and pushed into the skin next to the toenail. After you get it in there good.. and it's padded nicely but comfortably, put more iodine or merthiolate over the cotton. Then take some clear nail polish and cover the entire nail and the cotton ect. This will keep it in place and also keep dirt ect out of the area, and keep it dry. I did this nearly every day until the toenail grew back normal and 'relearned' where it needed to grow. It took like 6-9 months but it cost me next to nothing to do.. took maybe 5 mins of my time."
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I had a prob with this when I was younger. I had one surg corrected. I was always told when it was getting infected or swollen to soak in a warm bucket with betadine (spelling?).
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I get them constantly! Especially when I'm running and stuff. I always used to soak them and then my dad would rip the edges out of the skin. But I heard if you round the edges of your toenails it helps? Now I kind of just rip them out myself.
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I've been dealing with IGTN's for over 3 years now. I've had no less than 3 surgeries to correct them. It's the worst!!
What I've come to learn, don't try and fix it yourself, even if you can do it 90% of the time, the 10% something goes wrong is the worst ever. Swollen, infected, hurst even just to have the weight of a bedsheet on it. I see a Chiropodist/Podiatrist now, and she has corrected two of my four big toe corners. If I feel any pain at all I make an appt and get her to 'maintain' my toes.
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Thanks for weighing in, everyone!
@blackbird: I am sorry you had to get surgery but it is really good to know that it was so effective! I may have to look into it.
@prettylizy: that's where I am at now...I couldn't sleep last night, not because of pregnancy discomfort but because of my gimpy toe!
@runsyellowlites: thank you! flagging this.
if it doesn't get better i will see a doctor--certainly don't want to risk infection, esp. with little one depending on me staying healthy while he keeps growing!
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@maybebaby: lol! My husband calls them my 'Shrek Toes' because they are ugly ogre toes when they get ingrown.
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@maybebaby: ingrown toenails are podiatric emergencies because if it becomes infected (and you might be unaware that it has) the infection can spread to the bone and, well, really bad things can happen. You really should have it taken care of professionally and quickly. Not trying to scare you, but it is much more serious than most people realize.
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I HAVE THE PERFECT REMEDY!
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I used to get them really, really bad. And then my dad showed me this awesome trick that healed it... and I didn't need to get my nail dug out!
THis one was BAD. My toe was swollen on both sides and pussing and it was disgusting.
All you do is cut a small "V" in the tip of your toenail. The toenail will try to grow together and heal the cut in the nail, and therefore relieve the pressure from the ingrown toenail. Within a week mine was healed... pain free!
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This is so weird! I was going to start the same thread too! My feet got so swollen when I was prego and still haven't gone down to size I think my toenail started getting ingrown from wearing shoes that didn't fit. I went and got a pedi last week and she kept being like "you ok? You ok?" She took off so much skin! It felt a million times better though!
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@Rainbow Sprinkles: I've never heard of this! So cool!
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@blackbird:
@prettylizy:did you always get them? DH gets them all the time, it's just the way the nail grows for him and I can tell that DS has the same kind of nail, on one side in particular.
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@rachiecakes: mine started when I took up tap dancing again as an adult (lots of banging my toes on the ground in tap) now they just grow that way. When my Podiatrist removed them she used a chemical process to burn the root of the nail and they don't grow back anymore. It's a total blessing. She explained that some people just get them and this is the only way to prevent it in the long run.
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@prettylizy: I could tell when DS was born that he was going to be prone to them like DH. One big toenail turns in a bit. I don't know what I can do for him since his feet are so tiny!
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@rachiecakes: at this point their nails are so thin I doubt it'll be a problem any time soon. I'd just keep an eye on it, make sure you trim it straight across and then if you notice anything, bring it up to your Doc right away or get in to see a podiatrist or chiropodist.
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@MsLipGloss: I don't know if I would have made a dr. appointment without your response, so thank you. I read more online about bone infection and it just isn't worth waiting it out. The earliest they can get me in is Friday, but I am glad to have the appointment. Thanks again
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@rachiecakes, no i didn't always get them. I only started to get them when I guess, one day, i was working out and I probably did something and I cracked my big toenail about halfway down, horizontally, on both toes. My mom had ingrowns, so I was always careful to trim straight across (so there can be a genetic factor to being predisposed to them if you have the same nails). They must've gotten too long. Eventually, as it grew out, it kind of died and fell off, so i was left with a stubby toenail. As it grew out more and more, it started to grow in funky and cut into my skin. It just never got better. I never cut the corners off (that makes them worse), but I could never get them to not grow right into the skin. I tried a little cotton under the corners to lift them off the skin and everything. They got so sensitive and red that I knew they were bound to get infected. The podiatrist did the chemical burn on them, too. They were sore for probably 2 weeks and I wore flip flops to work and they were bandaged up, but OMG the relief afterwards. He said it's one thing to get them once, but if they keep coming back, it's best to just get them fixed. My toenail is a little skinnier now, but I don't think anybody would ever notice it but me. I don't even let the people at the nail salon trim them now. And i'm crazy anal about the kind of shoes I wear.
PS the V trick never worked for me. I tried everything. Mine were just that bad.
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@MaybeBaby: I am so glad to hear it! A looooong time ago I worked for a Podiatrist, and I learned a few things in the process. I am just glad to have been of help - good luck!
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@MsLipGloss: oh my god. I just had my appointment and I am horrified at what just came out of my foot. All these years I thought I was "fixing" it---I was never even scratching the surface! Again, thank you for your encouragement to see a professional...I'll need to do my other toe once I recover from this experience (I passed out in the chair. I suck at needles!)
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@MaybeBaby: I am sorry it wasn't a more pleasant experience, but I am so glad you saw a Doc! I hope you heal up quickly Doll!
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@MsLipGloss: thanks. REALLY glad I went. The doctor was so sweet. He distracted me by telling me about his new baby. His wife just had her a month ago where I'll be delivering! Best experience one could have under the circumstances
They were too awful and there was no real fix. It just prolonged the inevitable and I was tired of being in pain all the time. Since I got them fixed about 3 years ago, I have had ZERO pain and ZERO issues, though. It was totally, 100% worth it.
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