Ingrown Toe Nails Medical Treatment

Medical Care:

Treatment options depend on the stage of ingrown toenails, medically known as onychocryptosis.

Stage 1 can be managed by recommending shoes with a comfortable wide toe box or open-toed shoes. Instruct the patient's parents to cut the nail straight across and avoid cutting back the lateral margins. The nail edge should extend past the tissue.

Stage 2 can be treated by stretching the soft tissue away from the side of the nail, elevating the offending edge of nail from the soft tissue, and placing a small pledget of cotton under the nail edge to lift it back into the nail grove. Instruct patients with stage 2 ingrown nails on how to perform this treatment. Parents should also be instructed to have the child rest, keep the foot elevated, and use warm soaks.

Stage 3 should be treated by removing the nail margin as described in "Surgical Care." Chronic ingrown toenails may require matrix ablation.

Surgical Care:

Stage 3 ingrown nails require avulsion of the lateral border of the nail plate with sharp excision of the hypertrophic granulation tissue. If avulsion has been unsuccessful in the past, partial or total ablation of the nail plate chemically, surgically, or via laser may be indicated. Prepare the digit with Betadine or alcohol if the patient is iodine allergic. Perform a digital block with 2% lidocaine without epinephrine. Lift the nail off of the nail matrix bluntly all the way back to approximately one eighth of an inch under the proximal nail fold. Insert a scissors blade and cut the nail back to the proximal nail fold. Remove the free portion of the nail.

Protuberant granulation tissue can be removed sharply or treated with silver nitrate. Bleeding, if any, is controlled with pressure. Antibiotic ointment and clean dressing should be applied.

Consultations:

Consult a podiatrist for routine follow-up care or for patients in whom primary avulsion therapy has been unsuccessful. Close follow-up care with an orthopedist is required if inflammatory osteophytic changes are observed or if evidence of osteomyelitis is present.

Follow-up with a primary care physician is indicated for any type of immunosuppression, including diabetes mellitus.

Diet: No dietary limitations are required.

Activity: Rest, keep the extremity elevated, soak the affected nail in warm water, and maintain limited weight bearing until healing has taken place.

Gregory Mburu is a medical professional and part time marketer. He post his helpful information about ingrown toenail at http://nail-fungus-cure.blogspot.com/

---

Root Canal Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

OverviewA diseased or injured nerve use to mean that you... Read More

Lipitor Side Effects

Lipitor is a drug intended to help lower cholesterol. The... Read More

Signs of Suicide : Learn What They are and How to Deal with Them

The true numbers are probably much higher because many suicides... Read More

Relafen: A New Drug with an Old Danger

Individuals who regularly take Relafen (nabumetone) or other anti-inflammatory medications,... Read More

A Look at the Different Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux symptoms vary in degrees of discomfort, from person... Read More

Catch The Wave

There has never been a better opportunity for chiropractic medicine?and... Read More

How To Medically Treat Nail Fungus

Warning: This article is for information only and can not... Read More

First Responder Human Hibernation Units

In the next few years paramedics, first responders and military... Read More

Resperate or RESPeRATE - this device controls blood pressure however you spell it!

Resperate is natural and powerful and it puts you in... Read More

Orthotics: Prefab or Custom-Made?

If you take a simple stroll down the foot product... Read More

Mend Your Arthritis Pain Relief

GET TO KNOW YOUR ARTHRITISArthritis is referred to as the... Read More

Toenail Fungus: Tips For Treatment

The medical term for toenail fungus is "onychomycosis," pronounced on... Read More

Zyprexa Side Effects are Deadly: Effects Include NMS

Zyprexa is a prescription drug that treats schizophrenia, acute mania... Read More

Seroquel Side Effects: Effects of Seroquel Worth the Risk?

Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used to... Read More

Treating Neuromas - Ten Tips

A neuroma is an inflamed nerve. In the foot, the... Read More

Check Out The Wonders Of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is the essential oil comes from the... Read More

Vioxx and Bextra Lawsuits Could Tie Up Courts for Years

In September, 2004, pharmaceutical giant Merck voluntarily withdrew its painkilling... Read More

10 Steps To Detoxification

Technology. We live in a grand time of technological development.... Read More

Treating Lazy Eye in Older Children

Many eye doctors believed until recently that if a child's... Read More

Treatment for High Blood Pressure

The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More

Buy with confidence at Online Mexican Pharmacy

The foremost benefit of buying prescription medicines and other medical... Read More

How To Locate An Alcohol Rehabilitation Center In California

Alcohol rehab in California refers to the centers that help... Read More

Onychomycosis - One Of The Many Nail Fungus Out There

Many natural changes in fingers and toenails come with age.... Read More

Drug Abuse In Teens: Online Drug Abuse Identification Help

Teen drug abuse is at an all time high, but... Read More

Lunesta Personality Changes

Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More

Mind Altering

"It's a chemical imbalance." I've heard those words so many... Read More

Zyprexa Lawsuits

Zyprexa is an antipsychotic medication that works by changing the... Read More

Watch Out for Misleading Pharmaceutical Advertising

In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration relaxed the rules... Read More

Three Questions People Are Asking About Health Care in America

Q. Why is there so may uninsured people in America?A.... Read More

Alzheimers Toxin May Be Key To Slowing Disease

Australian scientists say they have identified a toxin which plays... Read More

Environmental Medicine

Our modern preservatives and other pollutants like yellow dye no.... Read More

Health Needs of Survivors of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is not over when the victim is safe... Read More

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Steroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is the role of steroid injection in carpal tunnel... Read More