How Long Does It Take To Recover From Ingrown Toenail Surgery

 Dealing with a painful toenail? Nails growing back into the skin are not going to heal on their own. Some of us think that the nails might grow within a week or so and then things will be sorted. However, leaving an ingrown toenail to grow at its own speed is not the smartest option. You may end up facing severe complications like swelling, pain, inflammation and infection

A faster and more effective way to handle this situation is ingrown toenail surgery. Now you must be wondering, “Who needs surgery for a nail that probably grows out on its own within 7 to 15 days?” A foot doctor doesn’t recommend leaving an ingrown toenail untreated. Keep on reading to learn why?

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails is a problematic situation that affects the quality of life for both men and women. Teenagers,  older aged individuals or anyone at all can have ingrown toenails. The problem can be described as a painful situation caused when the toenail starts to grow into the skin near the nail’s edges. The problem is more common around the big toes and happens due to multiple reasons such as:

Poor posture
Inadequate foot hygiene 
Ill-fitted shoes
Curved toenails
Injury to the toenails
Old age 
Swelling feet

Sweaty feet are most likely to attract problems like ingrown toenails or foot fungus. ith increasing age, occurrence of these problems becomes even higher. Someone who wears shoes that are too Tight or narrow putts a lot of pressure on the toes. As a result, problems like ingrown toenails arise. 

Why do foot doctors recommend ingrown toenail surgery?

Only a few people try to reach a solution at the onset of a problem. Due to our ignorance or busy lifestyle, we tend to ignore mild discomfort. Most of us think that the toenail will fix itselfwithin a week or so and will heal on its own! Why go to a doctor for such a minor issue?  Instead we think things like, “Let’s adjust our walking style or footwear choice for a week and then things will be back to normal!” Unfortunately, that’s not the case every time. 

Nails tend to grow at a certain speed. In the case of an ingrown toenail, the regrowth speed becomes unbearable because of certain complications associated with it. 

The ingrown toenail problem starts with tenderness or mild discomfort. If you leave it to grow at its usual speed, the chances of developing infection get higher. The mild swelling or tenderness around the ingrown toenail may end up looking like a disaster due to bleeding or pus oozing out due to a toenail infection.

Therefore, it is recommended to treat the condition as soon as possible. Warm water, toe protectors or antibiotics are not going to be effective when the symptoms are persisting and worsening. Surgical removal is an effective and highly recommended ingrown toenail treatment. 

What happens during ingrown toenail surgery?

The procedure involves surgical removal of the toenail. You have to see a podiatrist to remove the ingrown nail plate.  The procedure is completed into two steps, i.e. removal of the nail and treatment of the nail matrix. 

The entire procedure can be completed within an hour. It starts with a dosage of local anaesthetic which helps in blocking all the pain sensations. After the site of surgery is totally numb, the podiatrist then lifts and removes the ingrown part of the toenail. Later the nail matrix is treated to avoid reoccurrence of the ingrown toenail. 

Is it a complicated procedure and how long is the recovery time?

Treatment of ingrown toenails is a minor surgical procedure. The toenail is treated partially, which means no cutting or stitching is required. The procedure is completed quickly and can be reviewed within two days after the surgery. 

The healing and recovery process is also smooth. Based on your body’s capability to heal, the recovery time can be anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks. To fasten the healing process, the wound should be kept bandaged and dry all the time.  You have to follow all the precautions suggested by the doctor to avoid any complications. The chances of developing infections are minimal, though surgery is an open wound and it should be treated with utmost care for the first few days to speed up the recovery time. 

Bottom line 

Over the counter pain relievers are not the ideal solution to tackle ingrown toenails. Your ignorance may lead to severe toenail infections. Why wait till the toenail becomes excessively painful and full of puss? Get it treated right away. There is o need to be afraid of surgery, it is a common procedure conducted by podiatrists on a daily basis. Rather than dealing with the chronic pain with conservative at-home remedies, book an appointment at a foot and nail clinic to get ingrown toenails treated quickly. The recovery time for ingrown toenail surgery only takes a few weeks and the short term discomfort is certainly worth it.

If interested in receiving excellent medical care for your ingrown toenails from the finest podiatrists on the Sunshine Coast,  visit the link given below.