Ingrowing Toenail

[vincentmay]

Hi all

I got pain from the big toe, What are the symptoms of a ingrowing toenail? I can walk on it OK but when I bump it or something it bloddy hurts and you should see me at work while wheeling the trolly backwards due to a puncture, I bet all the customers that lip reads be able to read what I say when I bump the trolly against my foot, I swear like hell. It is the same in the kitchen at work where the chefs and waiters/waiteress can hear me swear at my foot.

When you have a look at that toe it looks like a scab on 1 side and closly looked at it oozes slightly. I don't see any redness or swelling. If you touch that that area, it bliming hurts.

Vincent

[Marti]

It soundds like you have an infection of the lateral nail fold - especially since you say it scabby and oozing. You need to soak your foot in a mixture of very warm water and table salt, then apply antibiotic ointment. You will need to get rid of the infection before you can take care of the ingrown nail. Second recommendation is to see your podiatrist.

[Audrey-B]

I'll second what Marti said......what you should also do is get a tiny bit of cotton wool and using a sharp object, like scissors or tweezers, you need to get the bit of cotton wool beneath the corner of your nail. The cotton wool will elevate the nail till it grows out a little. You will need to change the cotton wool each day after your bath/shower. Keep doing this till the infection and pain clears. Majority of ingrown toe nails are due to the way you cut your nails.

The cotton wool is worth a try, better than having some doctor tell you there's nothing they can do appart from surgically removing your nail forever!!

[This message has been edited by Audrey-B (edited 07-18-2003).]