ingrown toenail?

Question

The corner of my toe has been hurting for a few weeks now, and its getting worse, its where the nail and skin meet on my big toe. Do I have an ingrown toenail? If i do then how do I get rid of it? It hurts like a *****!

Answer 1

Sounds like an ingrown toenail to me - make an appointment with a podiatrist right away. The toe can become infected and you can loose your nail.

Answer 2

http://www.foot.com/info/cond_ingrown_toenails.jsp

Treatment and Prevention
Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they are recognized. In many cases, people with uninfected ingrown toenails can obtain relief with the following simple regimen:


Soak the feet in warm salt water
Dry them thoroughly with a clean towel
Apply a mild antiseptic solution to the area
Bandage the toe

If excessive inflammation, swelling, pain or discharge is present, the toenail probably is infected and should be treated by a physician. A podiatrist can trim or remove the infected nail with a minor in-office surgical procedure. He or she can remove the offending portion of the nail or overgrown skin with a scalpel and treat the infection. Unless, the problem is congenital, the best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to protect the feet from trauma and wear shoes with adequate room for the toes.

Cutting toe nails properly goes a long way toward the prevention of ingrown toenails. Using a safety nail clipper, cut the nails straight across, so that the nail corner is visible. If you cut the nail too short, you are inviting the nail corner to grow into the skin. It is the natural tendency, when the edge of the nail starts to grow in, to cut down at an angle at the nail edge, to relieve the pain. This does relieve the pain temporarily, but it also can start a downward spiral, training the nail to become more and more ingrown.
http://www.epodiatry.com/ingrown_nails.htm
http://www.careforfootpain.com/ingrown-toenails.html

My daughter uses the pain killing cuticle softner for a few days and then files the nail away from the skin. then I go buy her new shoes. We are now placing the gels in the new shoes, because she has to run in gym every day, and it is causing the problem to be more prevalent. The first time we had a podiatrist cut the nail out. A year later it happenned again, despite new shoes and loose socks every 3 months. This time we bought the broadest shoes, and placed the gels in there. We will have to see if it helps. They only occur when she has to run daily, so I know it has soething to do with her nails being compressed into the skin on a regular basis.
I would invest in the pain killing nail stuff and figure out some way to relieve the constant pressure on the toe and nail, or go toa podiatrist and have the nail cut (you will have to go back every 3 months-year).

Answer 3

First of all it does sound like an ingrown toenail which is when the nail is cut or broken too short and the nail now digs into the skin while growing causing a lot of pain and sometimes infection. First you will need the infection treated. Usually the toenail will then grow out on its own and be fine. If it is a severely infected nail or you can't get it to grow properly it can be removed. The root of the nail found in the nail bed is not disturbed and the nail will returned. Sometimes for chronic ingrown nails a small piece can be stripped form the edge of the nail or the entire nail is removed, root and all to prevent reoccurring problems. Start with your family doctor, you might only need a course of antibiotics. If you need more specialized treatment then can refer you.

Answer 4

This does sound like an ingrown toe-nail. My advice would be to visit a chiropodist, who will be able to take care of this for you. They may perform a minor operation to prevent it recurring, which involves cutting down the side of the nail. I had this problem myself a few years ago, so I know exactly what pain you are going through!

Answer 5

Sometimes I get in grown toe nails and this sounds like you do today. If you can clip the nail and pull it out then you you may need to go to the doctor. Call him and see if he treats this first. He may send you to a podiatrist, but most nurses at a general practice can handle it. Clean it with peroxide if you are able to get it out. You;ll be surprised how such a little piece of nail can hurt soooo bad. Put ice on it to decrease the inflammation if you have it irritated. Good Luck! I know it hurts!! I hate them!

Answer 6

Bad idea good thought! Let your toe nails grow long enough to cut a V shaped notch in the middle of the nail. It will pull the sides out of your toe,unless it's too far gone, and as it grows out the ingrown nail will come out. If this doesn't help, go see a DR.!!

Answer 7

In my experience, 30 years as a manicurist, School Owner and Instructor, I am certain an ingrown nail is causing your pain. If you do not go to a Podiatrist soon you are risking the possibility of an infection with redness and oozing. Please heed my professional warning and act quickly.

Answer 8

Try vicks vapor rub or mentholatum--rub a small amount on the affected area. You can also try listerine. For the pain you can soak it in epsom salts and warm water. Have you tried taking an ibuprofen for the swelling and pain? If it persists you may have to go in and have it removed, sometimes that is the only way it will heal.

Answer 9

the toenail is digging into the toe, the corner needs to be trimmed

Answer 10

Sounds ingrown to me. Best off to see a doctor so he/she can remove it. It will only hurt worse if you let it go on.