Question:
A few questions about ingrown toenails

I am scheduled for surgery for Monday, April 8th (6 days away). (YIPPEE!!!!) But, I have the beginning of what feels like an ingrown toenail. I have had several of these and had to get them cut out. Does any one know of something I can do for it short of going to the podiatrist to get it cut out before surgery? (first I'd have to go to my pcp and then he'd have to make a referral to the podiatrist and then I'd have to have an appointment...I'm afraid there is not enough time) My toenail area was hurting pretty bad yesterday and I cut away some of it and pulled it away from the toe quite a ways. Today it feels a lot better. Is there anything else I can do? It is not as red today as yesterday. I don't think it is infected...yet. Also, is there any chance that when I lose some weight I will quit getting these? I wonder if I get them because of the way I waddle when I walk and it puts pressure there. Plus it is difficult to cut my toenails correctly, so I don't do a good job of it. Any thoughts on that?    — A. S. (posted on April 2, 2002)

April 2, 2002
Used to have this problem. Cut a v in the middle of your toenail, then pack tiny bits of cotton underneath the ingrown part of the nail. Before you cut the V, soak your toe in full strength peroxide. That will kill any infection. The V causes the toenail to grow towards the v and away from the side of the toe. It may take a little while but it works like a dream. Good luck. Keep the peroxide up until the day before surgery. Use a cotton swab to get it down in there really good.
   — Kathryn K.

April 2, 2002
The "cure" for an ingrown toenail is to cut it down the best you can and put hydrogen peroxide directly into the wound. It will bubble up and sting for a moment, but you will feel great within a few days. Good luck.
   — Terissa R.

April 2, 2002
I know you may not have time to do this now, but the next time you go to the podiatrist ask about having the sides of the nails removed. I had this done on both sides of both of my big toes. The toes are numbed and then the sides of the nails are cut down and then cauterized with a CO2 laser so they can't grow back (the main top part of the nail is left in place so it doesn't look any different). It hurts a bit for a couple days when the numbing wears off, but it is so worth it not to have ingrown toenails anymore.
   — Toni C.

April 2, 2002
Hi, I'm pre-op and I've always had ingrown toenails (on my right big toe in particular). I just had the side that gets infected removed and the nailbed cauterized there. It feels SO much better and it actually looks better too. I am lucky that with my insurance I didn't need a referral to the podiatrist, but I remember the cost without insurance was only $45 or so. You might want to check into just paying out of pocket as an option if you can, and if the referral process will take too long. And my podiatrist did this procedure on my first visit, so I didn't have to come back for a second $45 visit. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 12, 2002
To the affected side: stuff small wisps of cotton keep on stuffing until it won't hold any more. Then press the cotton in from the bottom. it will hurt a little at first but will srve to cushion and make the space larger so the nail won't dig into the bed. repeat daily.
   — DrQ