Suggest Treatment For Red And Swollen Toe Nails

Posted on Sat, 25 Jul 2015

Question: Almost six months ago, I cut my big toenail too short. I noticed after a month or two that it wasn't growing at all. I started doctoring it with antibiotic creams and soaks and still nothing. Then the skin around the nail, especially at the bottom started hurting when wearing shoes. It became red and swollen. I've been to the podiatrist, dermatologist and GP and had a course of prednisone, antibiotics, 3 creams and gout medication. Nothing has worked to clear up the inflammation and the toenail looks like it is getting smaller and is not growing. I've had two x-rays and bone wize nothing is wrong. I don't have gout or arthritis in that toe joint either. I can't wear closed toe shoes without putting a bandage on the toenail so it doesn't rub. I am getting very concerned about this toe. I have another podiatrist appointment in two more weeks and he said he is going to give me a cortisone shot in the inflamed area. Removing the whole toenail has been mentioned. I do not want to do this. My toe was perfectly fine before I cut it way too short. Any suggestions on what this is and what to do about it. Have I injured the nail bed and now the nail won't grow. Could the nail be growing down below the skin instead of up and that is what is causing the inflammation and pain. I don't believe I have an infection or a fungus either. HELP!

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Better option is to nip it . COnservative care options mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. What you are having is an ingrown toenail secondary to deep cutting. Its an easily manageable condition and the best course of action here is to get rid of the nail under local anesthesia and is a very innocuous short term procedure and you wont feel a thing. A few days antibiotics and wound care and you will be all set free from the pain and worries. Or as they say evil would be nipped from the bud. So i would suggest do consider toenail removal and hope for the best.

Lifting ingrowing nail edge and place cotton, dental floss or a splint under it or partially removing the nail are some other options.

Meanwhile you decide opt for these home remedies.

1)Soak your feet in warm water. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes three to four times a day. Soaking reduces swelling and relieves tenderness.

2)Place cotton or dental floss under your toenail. After each soaking, put fresh bits of cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown edge. This will help the nail grow above the skin edge.

3)Apply antibiotic cream. Put antibiotic ointment on the tender area and bandage the toe.

4)Choose sensible footwear. Consider wearing open-toed shoes or sandals until your toe feels better.

5)Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help ease the toe pain.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar