britmom
I'm a slightly less sleep deprived, but still cranky
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« on: August 21, 2011, 11:40:07 AM » |
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And they hurt. It's the inside top corner of both my big toes. The nail's slightly turned inward, and there's hard skin underneath it. From what I have read, they are ingrown toenails. They've been like that for a while, but going jogging yesterday appears to have made them worse. They're absolutely killing me. I can't see anyone about them for a couple of days - any suggestions on what I can until then?
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Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy - Girl Interrupted
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crowie
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« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2011, 11:53:00 AM » |
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If you have antiseptic cream or lotion or spray (perhaps better for getting into the nail bed) you can apply it to your toe and put a bandaid on it. That might help.
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« Last Edit: August 21, 2011, 11:53:38 AM by crowie »
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lohai0
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« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2011, 12:00:16 PM » |
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Sometimes a salt water soak helps
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This semester's going to call for an increase in my liquor budget.
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scotia
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« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2011, 04:52:06 PM » |
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Not sure if it is still available, but several years ago I bought some liquid to paint onto the corner of the nail to soften it and prevent it growing in any further (from memory, I think I got it from Boots). It was vastly preferable to the surgical alternative my GP suggested as Plan B and I have not had a problem since.
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bioteacher
chocolate loving
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« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2011, 05:03:50 PM » |
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Soak your feet for a while until they get nice and soft. Then use a toothpick to gently work a thin roll of cotton (from a q-tip or cotton ball) under the corners and add a dab of antibiotic ointment and band-aid to keep the cotton in place. The cotton will help lift the offending corners out of the area they are irritating.
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voxprincipalis
Foxaliciously Cinnamon-Scented (and Most Poetic)
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Has potentially infinite removable wallets
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« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2011, 05:31:03 PM » |
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Soak your feet for a while until they get nice and soft. Then use a toothpick to gently work a thin roll of cotton (from a q-tip or cotton ball) under the corners and add a dab of antibiotic ointment and band-aid to keep the cotton in place. The cotton will help lift the offending corners out of the area they are irritating.
This. It works wonders. Warning: if they are infected, you may see pus coming out when you go to work the cotton in. Change the cotton frequently if you see this. And you only need a really tiny bit of cotton. Every time I have to do this I always take too much. Epsom salt foot baths are good for softening the skin there. VP |
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If you need me, I'll be hiding under a rock until mid-August. Try not to need me, unless you come bearing Chinese food.
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see_wolf
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« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2011, 05:35:13 PM » |
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Soak your feet for a while until they get nice and soft. Then use a toothpick to gently work a thin roll of cotton (from a q-tip or cotton ball) under the corners and add a dab of antibiotic ointment and band-aid to keep the cotton in place. The cotton will help lift the offending corners out of the area they are irritating.
This. It works wonders. Warning: if they are infected, you may see pus coming out when you go to work the cotton in. Change the cotton frequently if you see this. And you only need a really tiny bit of cotton. Every time I have to do this I always take too much. Epsom salt foot baths are good for softening the skin there. VP +1. And to prevent future problems, keep your toenails longer, cut straight across. |
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llanfair
Village idiot and Very
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Whither Canada?
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« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2011, 05:48:10 PM » |
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I've had the same problem for awhile now, Britmom. Part of the pain is that corns form under the nail at the pressure point - that's the hardened skin you noticed. Once the nail's been cut away from that area, you can try corn-removal plasters.
The real key is to keep the nail cut away from that area - either longer and straight across, as S_W says, or (if they persist in curving under, as mine did), cut down the side to keep it from pressing on the sore spot. Lots of soaking makes this a lot easier.
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britmom
I'm a slightly less sleep deprived, but still cranky
Senior member
Posts: 841
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« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2011, 05:16:21 AM » |
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'll start with soaking my feet.
Scotia: I'll have a hunt around in Boots/Superdrug to see if they sell such a thing, thanks.
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Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy - Girl Interrupted
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zharkov
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« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2011, 05:22:53 AM » |
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Many years ago, I had the same problem, the podiatrist basically did the packing thing with cotton. H202 is also useful as an antiseptic for this.
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__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
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michigander
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« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2011, 10:57:42 AM » |
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I used to have a constant problem with that. Once your podiatrist or other practitioner cuts away the offending portion of the nails and buffs the edges and you follow any instructions for treating any infection, start putting a small dab of petroleum jelly at those spots each day after you wash your feet. That will provide lubrication to allow your nails to grow out to the appropriate length without pain or undermining the skin. Then you can keep them trimmed as medically advised. Once I started doing that religiously, the problem simply went away never to return.
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llanfair
Village idiot and Very
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Whither Canada?
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« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2011, 12:57:47 PM » |
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I used to have a constant problem with that. Once your podiatrist or other practitioner cuts away the offending portion of the nails and buffs the edges and you follow any instructions for treating any infection, start putting a small dab of petroleum jelly at those spots each day after you wash your feet. That will provide lubrication to allow your nails to grow out to the appropriate length without pain or undermining the skin. Then you can keep them trimmed as medically advised. Once I started doing that religiously, the problem simply went away never to return.
Ooh, great idea, Michigander! Thanks! |
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This place stinks like a pair of armoured trousers after the Hundred Years' War.
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britmom
I'm a slightly less sleep deprived, but still cranky
Senior member
Posts: 841
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« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2011, 02:59:44 PM » |
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Thanks also, Michigander.
Unfortunately, my battle with ouchy toenails has been replaced with a sore-as-heck mouth after I had a wisdom tooth out today. Suddenly my feet don't hurt as much.
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Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy - Girl Interrupted
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llanfair
Village idiot and Very
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Whither Canada?
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« Reply #14 on: August 23, 2011, 06:15:31 PM » |
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Unfortunately, my battle with ouchy toenails has been replaced with a sore-as-heck mouth after I had a wisdom tooth out today. Suddenly my feet don't hurt as much.
Ice and lots of it, BritMom. Been there, suffered that. |
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This place stinks like a pair of armoured trousers after the Hundred Years' War.
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