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Blade
Members
1
Sep. 2004
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Sep. 22 2004,14:10 |
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My problem with ingrowing toenails has been chronic.
It all started in June/July of August 2003. I came out of a shower, noticed a distinctive smell and what looked like a slight infection. I showed my parents, who said it could be Athletes Foot (although I am not an athlete of any sort) and they said we'll go to the doctors to make sure. Did that, said it's an ingrowing toenail, explained the causes, what the condition is, the treatments, etc. Got referred to a local certified chiropodist, who did the surgery of cutting part of the nail after using local anesthetic (can't remember medical term of surgery). Fair enough. What is interesting is that before that shower I didn't actually notice anything wrong with my toe before hand. The infection died down.
This temporarily fixed the problem and I followed all the recommended guidelines such as keeping my leg up for blood flow reasons and what I was told to do - such as not wearing shoes - possible as I was on school holidays.
However, I started to get an infection - probably as the nail grew back. I went doctors (this is well after the operation, as the nail grew back - with a nasty infection months and months after the operation). I was given special cream and antibiotics. Fixed the problem for a few weeks (the duration I was to have this medicine) and then the nail started to grow back into the skin...
The chiropodist performed an operation (Partial something) where the side of the nail is partially removed (I think this is the same as the first operation I had). This was in July 2004, just after my exams, and he said the nail will be ok for a few months and then will grow back. No chemicals were used, but he said that when the whole nail is removed (the operation I'm waiting for) a chemical will be used. He also cleared up the infection by cutting the nail that was protruding into the infection and used Savlon.
Well now the nail has grown back into the side of the skin at the bottom right of the nail and there is a big lump which is soft and if I feel it it hurts. What does this lump consist of exactly?
My concern is that I've been waiting for treatment for months on the NHS and I have also read that an exposed and untreated infection can cause problems like septicaemia which I heard can easily be fatal. This has me seriously worried as I'm 18 and I've got a lot to live for. Surely if this problem can turn into something fatal then treatment should occur straightaway with no lag time? My dad said we will go private which is wise but I don't know what the status of going for private treatment is.
Furthermore, I've also noticed that on my left foot where I have no foot problems are, my middle toe has become a claw toe. How can this be treated? I haven't been diagnosed with any disorders, diseases, conditions etc and this isn't a sign of any, it's just from wearing poor fitting shoes in the past although I'm slightly assymetrical in mouth, one leg is just less than a centrimetre taller in length than the other (my leg hasn't kept growing and the doctors said this is natural and nothing to worry about, I can walk fine), and I have a weak knee which leads to easy dislocations if I twist, so I don't play football or rough sports like rugby. I'm not sure if it was necessary to type that, maybe it was. What can be done to fix the claw toe? The skin at the joint area has gone red as a result of some rubbing with the trainer at times.
I've also noticed that on the toe where I have the ingrowing toenail (big toe on left foot), the toe has twisted slightly so one side faces up. What can be done to fix this?
I've read everything about ingrowing toenails and I fully understand the condition - in fact, every site echoes the same information on the condition, it makes me sense that there is a lot of copying and pasting of info on the condition!
As a result of my foot problems which were from tight fitting shoes (I have wide feet - I don't know if I should say very wide or not), I now have 4E size trainers from New Balance which are amazingly comfy and spacious, and I always take my socks off when I get home from wearing shoes for a long time like when I'm out and about to let my feet naturally breathe. I even soak my feet in hot water (feels nice and soothing).
I've just started uni and it is really important I don't miss it or I will fall behind and less importantly it's fun. Can I still walk after my ingrowing toenail surgery when the whole nail is removed?
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Dr Foot
Super Administrators
491
Jan. 2003
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Sep. 23 2004,15:56 |
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If I understand correctly, you have has two partial nail avulsions (PNA) without phenolization and the nail has gown back on both occasions. I personally use pheolization for all my PNA's as there is a higher success rate. You are now waiting for a TNA (total nail avulsion), let’s hope they use phenolization and remove the entire nail bed to prevent to re-growth!
If you are worried about the spread of the infection then you could see to have this procedure done privately via a state registered chiropodist, it may be worth the expense.
The thick area of tissue may be hypergranulosis which occurs due to trauma to the nail, this can be treated during the procedure or after.
Claw toes can be treated via insoles to prevent any biomechanical complaint from causing further damage, toe crests and toe splints.
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