INGROWN TOENAILS

        Ingrown Toenail                                               After Laser Surgery

Ingrown toenails are the most common condition that I treat. As a result of 32 years of experience in treating ingrown nails with a variety of different methods, I have developed a treatment using the C02 laser that represents a dramatic improvement in the success and recovery from this condition. I hope that the following information can help you, a member of your family, or a friend with this painful condition.

How Know If I Have An Ingrown Toenails? This very common problem is easily recognized by the curved or upside down "u" shape of the toenail with pain along one or both edges of the nail.  Although ingrown toenails usually involve the 1st toes, they can involve any toenail. Ingrown toenails can occur with a rather flat nail plate when the skin around the nail plate, called the nail lip, is enlarged and pushes against the nail edges. This is most commonly seen in teenagers, and is frequently associated with infection, pain, and drainage of fluid.

How Do I Cut My Toenails? Normal toenails should be cut straight across, but when the corners become painful, it is necessary to round off the corners. This should only be done if the corners become painful. It is very important that you do not leave a rough edge on the nail or this could lead to an infection as this rough edge grows out and imbeds into the nail lip. If the area around the leading edge of the nail becomes red and tender and fluid, either clear or white-yellow is noted, an infection is present. As a temporary measure, soaking in a solution of Epsom salts, 2-3 tablespoons to a quart of warm water will give relief, but professional help is necessary.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

• The most common cause is a slight variation in how pressure is exerted on the nail from the ground. Normally the toe should receive pressure from the ground exactly on the bottom of the toe. However, with a slight amount of out-toeing, the forces from the ground apply pressure to the side of the toe thereby causing the nail to curl under. Another cause is curvature and rotation of the toe associated with a bunion deformity.

• Other conditions which can aggravate ingrown toenails are tight shoes and socks or hose

• Improper cutting of the toenail such as leaving a sharp edge when rounding off the toenail is a common cause of infected ingrown toenails

• Congenital or inherited curvature of the nail plate is another common cause of painful ingrown toenails.

What Is The Treatment For Ingrown Toenails?My treatment of ingrown nails has changed drastically in the past few years since I developed the C02 laser technique. By permanently removing 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch of each side of the toenail, the nail is narrowed thereby causing less pressure on the surrounding tissue. This procedure is done in the office under a local anesthetic, very similar to what your dentist would use to work on your teeth. With the laser, it is possible to perform this procedure without a cut or incision in the skin and therefore eliminates the need for stitches. Most patients can put on their regular shoes the next day and perform their normal duties with little discomfort. This is in sharp contrast with the conventional treatment (before the laser) where a portion of the nail, nail lip and nail root was cut out and sutures or stitches were used. This older technique was painful and required a lot of time off of your feet and out of your shoes.

To schedule an appointment, please call (405) 751-6152