Ingrown Nails are a common problem that may result from poorly trimmed nails or ill-fitting shoes. They are generally harmless and treatable without severe intervention like surgery if detected and treated early. However, if left ignored and unaddressed, the problem can escalate and turn into an abscess or infection, which can lead to difficulties in walking. While Ingrown Nails are more often seen in men and among teenagers and adults, this problem is not limited to specific groups of people.
If you notice any signs of an ingrown toenail, do not hesitate to visit Narooma Medical Centre and seek medical help to prevent further issues from arising. Call us on 02 4476 5588
Ingrown toenails typically start with minor and bearable symptoms, but may quickly lead to an infection or abscess. Signs of an infected ingrown nail include pain when touching the area, abscess with pus, bleeding, or throbbing. If you detect any of these symptoms or feel like you may have an infected nail, do not delay your doctor appointment and get it treated as early as possible. An Abscess drainage will often be performed by your doctor to get rid of the pus and abscess in your ingrown nail. The infected area will be anesthetized to ensure that you do not feel the pain, then an incision is made for the drainage. In some cases, your doctor may leave a gauze to allow the drainage to continue for a day or two if it is deemed a necessity.
More severe cases of ingrown toenails will require surgery, which may be in the form of a wedge excision or nail ablation. A Wedge excision is done in cases when only the outer area of the toe is ingrown. This type of surgery involves removing the part of the nail that is ingrown and, in some cases, surgical excision of the nail bed may be needed. The whole procedure will take approximately 30 minutes, and once it is finished, it is recommended that you rest and raise your leg to aid in healing and reducing the swelling. If the Ingrown Nail is caused by an abnormal growth of your nail, your doctor may opt to perform a nail ablation instead. This procedure is similar to the wedge excision, but involves complete removal of the nail and matrix, causing the healing process to be significantly slower. Its purpose is to prevent the nail from regrowing as it is the cause of the problem. The best way to determine the right course of action will be to consult with your doctor and have your nail checked if you notice signs of it being ingrown. Again, the earlier you get it treated, the less invasive the treatment will be.
Thus, at the first sign of an Ingrown Nail, we encourage you to contact us at Narooma Medical Centre, so our team of healthcare professionals can assist you. After inspecting your nail, our doctors can recommend the proper treatment plan to ensure that the discomfort will dissipate and the problem does not escalate further. To book an appointment, call us on 0244765588 / 0424204562
Narooma Medical and Specialist Centre