Toenail Removal Surgery

December 9th, 2011

Toenail removal becomes important in cases when the skin folds and becomes swollen and red which leads to the ingrown nail. Toenail removal will also become important when the nail becomes thick, turns curvy or if there is severe pain. Toenail removal is a basic surgical process that will not even require you to be hospitalized for long.

44 Toenail Removal Surgery

The doctor will approve you for the surgery once you are done through special tests and prepared for the surgery. For the treatment you are taken to the operating room and made to lie down on the operating table. You will be given an injection of local anaesthetic on your toe to get it numbed. Sterile towels will be wrapped around your feet after cleaning them with an antiseptic solution and to prevent bleeding a tight band will be clipped on it. The doctor then starts the operation which takes 15 minutes per toe. The doctor will cut out the sliver of the nail and nail bed when it is swollen if you are suffering from ingrown nail. Once the skin is cut down the nail is narrowed down. To prevent any further bleeding the toe is covered with a dressing and a bandage to keep pressure on the infected part. The doctor will cut the whole nail bed and only skin is left out for a thick curved nail. Till the anaesthesia remains there will be no feeling of pain in the toe which will be for an hour.

Once the operation is done you can leave the hospital after one hour. You will be advised to take pain killers such as paracetamol to get relief from pain. There will be an improvement in a day or so after the operation. There are no restrictions on your diet so you can eat or drink anything. Make sure not to take off the dressing for about one week after the operation.

It is advisable to opt for open toe sandals or shoes with big size so that your toe fits in along with bandages and should be comfortable enough. Make sure to keep the dressing clean regularly.  When cleaning with water try to see to it that the dressing does not get wet as there can be stitches in the skin. After the operation you are required to go for a check up after 2 weeks.  You can carry on with your normal daily activities after the toenail removal surgery.

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How To Cure Black Toenail

November 25th, 2011

Black toenail is a problem which is mostly common in athletes. When you walk or run, your foot glides forward in your shoes because of which your toes bang up against the top, front and sides with each step in your shoe. Your feet swell during a walk or run and get compressed by your shoes. This constant pressure and impact damages the toenail bed and create a blister underneath the toenail. Since your feet can’t breathe inside the shoe, the blister will take longer to heal. Because of this the extra blood and fluid causes the toenail to separate from the toenail bed. Hence the blood colours the toenail black.  The toenail first turns black and then the nail falls off usually when a new nail grows in.

43 How To Cure Black Toenail

The blister underneath the toenail bed causes the toenail to rise and swell. It causes a lot of pain in the toe. Athletes who do lot of running are the most likely candidates for black toenails as their toes are constantly rubbing against the front of their shoes. There are more chances of getting black toes in warm weathers as the feet swell more when it is hot.

If you have a black toenail it is best to leave it alone as long as you can manage the pain. The pain is mostly worst on the first day but will lessen each day after. The damaged nail will gradually push off and a new nail will eventually grow in. The damaged nail will fall on its own, so don’t force the old nail off as it will worsen the pain. It will take a few weeks or months to regain its original shape. 

If it is still raised or painful after a day, drain the fluid with a sterilized needle and apply antibiotic cream or alcohol. If the toe continues to be red and swollen, consult your doctor immediately to ensure it has not become infected. Take infection seriously as it can lead to blood infection or gangrene. It can be worse if you are diabetes patient.

To avoid black toenails you must wear the correct running shoe size. It is advisable to wear shoes that are at least ½ inch size bigger than your street size so that there is plenty of room in the toe box for the feet to breathe. Trim your toenails at regular intervals and keep your feet dry and clean for as long as possible during long runs. Wear good wicking socks rather than the cotton ones. Lace your shoes tighter if you are doing more of downhill running to avoid constant friction with the front of the shoe to avoid black toenail.
                                                   

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How To Cure Thick Toenails

November 10th, 2011

Causes of thick toenails are eczema, psoriasis, fungus and toe injury. You can treat thick toenails with simple home remedies. Not only you save your money but can also avoid the side effects that can result from prescribed medications. I will list a few home remedies, you can choose according to your convenience.

clip image002 How To Cure Thick Toenails

Vapour rub can be used to treat thick toenails. With a help of toenail clipper cut your nails short. Cut them as short and close to the skin as possible. Then file your nails with an emery board or nail file to improve the nail appearance. If your nails are thick because of fungus, filing them will help the treatment reach the fungus. After you are done with trimming and filing apply vapour rub to toenails twice a day. This will help in treating the nails and make them smooth.  

You can also use Epsom salt for treating thick nails. Cut and file your toenails as short as possible. Then soak your feet in Epsom salt also known as magnesium sulphate dissolved in warm water for about two to three times a day for half an hour time.

White vinegar is a good remedy for thick toenails. Applying white vinegar directly to your toenail or soaking your feet in one part vinegar to two parts of warm water three times a day will help in reducing the growth of bacteria which causes thickness in the toenails.

You can also use tea tree oil for thick toenails. Tea tree oil has natural anti fugal properties. After cutting and filing your toenails short. Apply tea tree oil on your toe nail, the skin around it and under the tip of the nail twice a day.

To avoid thick toenails keep your toenails short and clean. Try only one home remedy at a time and observe the results and reactions. And choose the home remedy accordingly. It is important to be consistent in your treatment habits for effective and immediate results. Change your shoes and socks on regular basis and avoid wearing restrictive shoes or socks. If you have an athlete’s foot, treat it immediately or else it may spread to the nails. Go barefoot or wear sandals often as fungus don’t like light. Minimize the usage of nail polish, as nail polish encourages the growth of toenail fungus. Never go barefoot in public areas, wear shoes or sandal to protect your feet. Keep your feet, toe and toenails dry after getting wet as fungus grow well in moisture. Always wash your hands after touching infected toenails to avoid spreading to other nails. If the pain in the thick toenails turns severe consult a physician right away.

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Home Remedies For Treating Infected Toenail

November 10th, 2011

The following are some of the home remedies for treating an infected toenail.        

One of the home remedy for treating infected toenail is tea tree oil. This tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic which helps you to fight against the fungus on the toe nail. Tea tree oil with a few drops of olive oil should be applied on the infected toenail. Tea tree oil can be used on toe nails every day. With the help of this oil, rare cases of Onychomycosis can also be treated. On the area of infected toenail a mixture of olive oil, thyme oil and tea tree oil should be applied. Scrub away with a tooth brush after 10 to 15 minutes which removes the fungus which resides in the upper layer. Continue using tea tree oil till the infection is cured completely and fungus is removed totally.

Listerine mouth wash is another home remedy for infected toenail. Listerine mouth wash is a very powerful antiseptic which helps in keeping your toe nails healthy. Listerine contains salicylate thymol and eucalyptol which is very much useful in treating toenail infection. Make a solution with the help of equal proportions of some Listerine mouth wash and lemon juice or apple cidar vinegar and soak your legs in it for 20 minutes every day. This is an effective home remedy in getting cured from toe nail infection. Continue the process till you get cured from infection.            

Another home remedy for toe nail infection is Natural apple cider vinegar.  Soak your feet in warm water containing natural apple cider vinegar for 20 minutes and wipe it with a clean cloth and allow drying or making use of a hair dryer to allow the feet to dry completely.  The natural apple vinegar helps in prevention of infection and gets cured as early as possible. Prepare a pack with the help of some apple cider vinegar mixed with ground rice flour and apply it on the infected area of foot nail and wash your feet well in that mixture. This pack will help in getting rid of the dead cells caused due to the infection on the toe nail.    

The toe nail infections can be treated with the home remedy by using lavender oil and tea tree oil. Take equal quantities of both the oils, take cotton and dip it in the oil and apply it on the infected areas on the toe for 2 to 3 times a day. Another remedy for toe nail infections is by using Oregano oil and olive oil which are also very effective in getting cured from infections. Take equal proportions of both the oils and apply on the affected areas daily for 3 weeks. The home remedies for toe nail infections are very easily available when compared to the medications available in the market. Home remedies are also a very effective way of treating an infected toenail.

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Surgical Procedure For Toenail Removal

November 9th, 2011

When should you opt for toenail removal? You can opt for toenail removal, when your toenail causes trouble in two main ways – first, when the skin folds at the side and becomes swollen and red (ingrown toenail). Second, it becomes very thick, curved and painful. Both of these conditions can be surgically treated.

clip image002 Surgical Procedure For Toenail Removal

First you have to undertake special tests to make sure that you are well prepared for surgery as safely as possible. After you are done with the test, with the doctor approval you are prepared for the surgery. You will be taken to the operating room and made to lie on the operating table. Then the toe is numbed with an injection of local anaesthetic into its base. Your toe will be cleaned with antiseptic solution and sterile towels will be draped around it. A tight band will be clipped around the toe to prevent bleeding. The operation is then performed and will take about 15 minutes per toe. For an ingrown toenail removal, the doctor will cut out the sliver of the nail and of the nail bed that is tender and swollen. The skin fold will settle down as the nail is a little narrower now. The toe is then covered with a dressing and a bandage to apply gentle pressure on the wound to prevent any bleeding. For a thick curved nail, the doctor will cut out the whole nail and the nail bed so that instead of a nail there is just a skin left. There would be no feeling in the toe for an hour or so till the effect of anaesthesia remains.  

You will be allowed to leave within one hour of the operation. After this you will be asked to take pain killers such as paracetamol to control any pain. You will observe gradual improvement after a day or so. You can eat and drink normally. You should not remove the dressing on the wound for at least one week.

It is best recommended to wear shoes with a large area for your toes to accommodate the bandages or you can wear open toe sandal. Keep the dressing clean and dry as much as possible. While cleaning, wash around the dressing to avoid wetting it as there may be stitches in the skin. You may be called for check up about two weeks after the operation. You can resume back to your regular activities after the toenail removal within no time.

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Causes And Treatment Of Thick Toenails

November 5th, 2011

Injury and bacterial or fungal infection are the common causes of thick toenails. The infection causes inflammation that makes the tissues around the nail root to be thickened. Thickened toenails make it hard to wear shoes or any foot wear since they put pressure and causes compression resulting to intense pain. This condition can occur to more than one toenail; however, home remedies are available to manage it. Psoriasis is also related to development of this condition. This skin disease causes redness and itchiness on the affected area. The skin of the patient is described as thick, reddish, and has scales which are silvery white patches.

39a Causes And Treatment Of Thick Toenails

Psoriasis

Any person may acquire this condition but it is more common to individuals under the age bracket of 15 to 35 years old. Psoriasis is contagious and can be passed down through family members. Bacterial or viral infections can contribute to the development of this condition as well as stress and substance abuse. For those patients with weakened immune system caused by AIDS, autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy, and radiation, psoriasis may be dangerous and may even cause death. To diagnose this disease, your doctor will assess the condition of the skin.

How to manage thick toenails

First thing you need to do is to soak the affected foot in a basin with warm water for about 10 minutes to soften the toenails. Make sure to pat dry your feet and toenails using a clean towel. It is advisable to use nail nippers as a tool to trim the toenails since it is lightweight, it has a good grip and control, and it is very accessible, it can be bought at most drugstores. If you have a condition related to poor circulation or decreased sensation of the feet, such as diabetes mellitus and vascular diseases, observe strict caution when using nail nippers because they are very sharp. To properly trim the toenail, start at the corner or edge of the nail and gently cut straight across to prevent breakage. Do not cut the nail in a curved way to prevent the development of an ingrown toenail. After trimming the affected toe in a straight cut, do the same to the other nails. Using an emery board, gently file the ends of the toenails to reduce or lessen the sharp edges that could dig into the surrounding skin. Also, to further improve thick toenails, a change in lifestyle such as diet and activities is encouraged.

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Kinds Of Infected Toenail

November 3rd, 2011

There are a lot of kinds of infected toenail, one of which is ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenail, medically termed as Onychocryptosis, is the abnormal growth of the nail into the nail bed.

38a Kinds Of Infected Toenail

 Ingrown toenails are very painful but they are easily treated even at home. The common cause of this condition is the improper trimming of the toenail. It must be cut in a straight way and not in a curved way. Injury or wounds can also cause ingrown toenail if left unmanaged. Vitamin C deficiency makes the nails weak making them prone to injuries especially when wearing not properly fitted shoes or footwear.  Infected toenails can be treated using some home remedies but if it does not improve or the pain increased, seek medical attention at once.

Causes of infected toenails

One common cause of infected toenails is wearing tight fitting shoes or footwear. This compresses the toes together and put pressure to the nail resulting to an abnormal growth. Trimming the toenails in a curved way causes the corners or edges of it to furrow into the surrounding flesh. Infections are commonly caused by fungi or bacteria causing swelling, pain, and eventually blisters. This makes the nail to be slightly raised and the extra blood causes the toenail to be discolored.   Ingrown toenail can be passed between family members.

Signs and symptoms

The outer edge of the big toe has a higher possibility of having ingrown toenail. However, any toenail or even nails on both sides can be infected and becoming ingrown. Inflammation, pain, and tenderness are the most common signs and symptoms of an infected toenail. If the infection is worse, fever is expected. Initially, the toenail is only painful and inflamed and does not contain any pus or drainage. Eventually, as the nail grows, extra skin and tissue will grow as well. Pus or yellowish drainage can be noted as the infection worsens. This production of pus is the body’s defense mechanism to any foreign substances or microorganisms. However, the infection should be managed at once to prevent further complication.

Infected toenail management and prevention

If you think you have a toenail infection you can soak the affected foot in a basin of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes two or three times a day. This will reduce the inflammation and tenderness. You can also place cotton or clean gauze around the affected toe and secure it using adhesive tapes to avoid exposing it. Clean the infection using hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial creams at least three times a day. Make sure that your shoes are property fitted, not too tight not too loose. You can take over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen to relieve the pain from the infected toenail.

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Understanding Toenail Removal

October 31st, 2011

To understand toenail removal, we must define nails first. Nails are flat envelope covering the dorsal part of the fingers and toes. They are made out of hard protein called keratin. The purpose of the nails is mainly to protect the tissue underneath called nail bed. The nail bed is consists of blood vessels, cells, capillaries, and nerves which are very important for circulation and tactile response. The nail matrix attaches the nail itself with the nail bed. When we talk about nail removal, it is the surgical elimination of all parts of the nail, this includes the nail itself, the nail bed, and nail matrix. This procedure is done primarily to relieve a patient from pain, swelling, and inflammation. It also reduces the possibility of infection and further complication.

37a Understanding Toenail Removal

Indications for toenail removal

The nail is removed obviously to prevent the occurrence of a complication or simply to manage a condition. Nail infection is a very common indication for this procedure. Fungal and bacterial agents often cause nail infections. Ingrown fingernails, especially unmanaged ones, definitely require toenail removal to relieve the patient from excruciating pain and swelling. Injury or damage on the nails may also require removing the affected nail to facilitate faster healing and recovery.

Toenail removal procedure

The procedure starts as the health professional tie a tourniquet around the base of the affected finger or toe. This is done to lessen or manage the bleeding. Anesthesia then is administered either topically or intravenously to relieve you from any pain caused by the procedure. Sterile forceps or rod is inserted under the nail to separate it from its nail bed. If the toenail removal is just a part and not the whole nail, the heath professional may use scissors and the nail is gently pulled out. If the nail matrix is removed, a blue dye is applied on that area to facilitate better vision. Special mechanism is used when removing the nail matrix. It can be by an incision, cautery machine, laser, or a special chemical. The removed nail may be taken to the lab for further assessment and then the incision or cut is closed by stitches or tapes.

Preventing toe nail removal

Nothing beats a hygienic lifestyle in preventing any fungal or bacterial related conditions. Clean your toenails properly and trim them in a straight cut not in a curved way to prevent occurrence of ingrown fingernails. Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet to make your nails strong and healthy, thus, preventing the need of a toenail removal.

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Defining Black Toenail Fungus

October 25th, 2011

Black toenails can be caused by many factors, one of which is from a fungal invasion. This condition is described as to having unsightly and nasty toenails that may be caused by an etiologic agent, mostly fungi, or perhaps it is a sign of an underlying condition. This problem can be treated and managed easily even at home. Another cause of black toenails may be from excessive walking or running. Also, not properly sized socks and shoes may also be related. What happens is that too much walking or running irritates the toes by sliding back and forth the insides of the shoe. This can damage the toenail beds or perhaps leads to blisters underneath the toenails causing bleeding that will separate the toenail from its toenail bed.  Eventually, the toenail becomes black in color as a result of the extra blood.

36a Defining Black Toenail Fungus

Causes of black toenails

Dermatophytes, which are microscopic agents that love moist and damp areas, are one of the most common organisms causing black toenails. Another cause may be excessive sweating and improperly sized footwear. Runners and joggers are very prone to having black toenails from wearing ill fitted shoes and wearing them without socks. Injury or wound on the toenail or foot can lead to this condition. Improper cutting of toenails may cause injury and eventually infection.

Manifestations black toenails

The first thing you will notice, if a blister is present, is that the toenail may be slightly raised, inflamed, and tender. Observe the toenail for a day and note for any signs of infection. If the area is still swollen or the pain increased, draining or pricking it properly is an option. Sterilize a needle and then prick the blister located at the edge of the toenail carefully. Make sure to drain it all and apply disinfectant creams or ointments to prevent infection.

If the toenail did not improve and remained inflamed and painful, seek medical assistance at once because it may get infected and lead to a more complicated situation. Infection should not be ignored. If you left black toenails unmanaged, this may lead to sepsis, gangrenous foot, and worse, amputation.  

Preventing black toenails

First is to make sure your shoes and other footwear are properly fitted for good circulation of blood. You can wear anti perspirant or odor free socks to avoid excessive sweating of the toes. Lastly, good hygiene is always the best prevention from black toenails, so clean and cut them properly.

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Thick Toenails Related To Psoriasis

October 24th, 2011

The common causes of thick toenails are usually from injury and bacterial or fungal infection. The inflammation resulted from the infection which makes the surrounding tissues of the nail root to be thickened. The compression and pressure caused by the thickened toenails when wearing shoes or any footwear leads to pain and formation of blisters. Psoriasis can affect more than one toenail; fortunately, there are available home remedies that can manage this condition. The patient’s skin is described as reddish, itchy, and scaly.

Defining Psoriasis

Any individual can be infected with this disease; however, statistics show that those individuals under the age bracket of 15 to 35 years old are more at risk. This condition can be passed from one family member to another for it is very contagious. Factors that contribute to the development of this condition are bacterial or viral infections, stress, and substance abuse. AIDS, autoimmune diseases, radiation, and chemotherapy may weaken the immune system of the patient, thus psoriasis may be opportunistic and be detrimental to the patient. The health care professional may diagnose this disease by assessing the condition of your skin.

Managing thick toenails

• In order to soften the toenails soak the affected foot in a basin with warm or lukewarm water for at least 10 minutes.

• After soaking the foot make sure to pat it dry using a clean towel.

• Nail nippers are the best tool to use in trimming your toenails since they are very handy, they have good grip, and they can be bought from most of the drugstores.

• Certain diseases like diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular diseases cause poor circulation or even decreased sensation of the foot. It is advised to observe strict caution when using nail nipper since they are very sharp.

• Trim the toenail starting at the corner or edge and gently cut it straight across to prevent any damage of the nail.

• Make sure to cut the nail in a curved way because this may lead to an ingrown toenail.

• Trim the rest of the toes in a straight cut as well.

• Gently file the ends of the toenails using an emery board. This will lessen the sharp edges or corners that may possibly dig into the surrounding flesh.

• Have a balanced diet to make your nails strong and healthy.

• Thick toenails can be a sign of an underlying condition so don’t ignore them.

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