Have you ever had to deal with the discomfort of an ingrown toenail? You might be wondering: just how painful is the removal process? It’s not unusual to feel apprehensive about the idea of surgery, even for something as minor as an ingrown toenail.
But let’s clear up some misconceptions. The procedure itself is typically carried out under local anaesthesia, so you’re unlikely to feel much, if anything, during the process.
But what about after the anaesthesia wears off? Again, you shouldn’t feel anything at all, but you need to follow some important recovery steps that we will cover in this blog.
So if you think you have an ingrown toenail, or you know you have one and have been advised it needs to be removed, this blog will be an important read for you.
Understanding An Ingrowing Toenail
To fully understand the discomfort associated with ingrown toenail removal, it’s important to first grasp what an ingrown toenail is and how the removal procedure is typically carried out.
An ingrown toenail, which is especially common with the big toe, occurs when the edge of your toenail grows into the surrounding skin. This can cause pain, redness, and sometimes an infection.
When it comes to ingrown toenail removal, the procedure is straightforward. A local anaesthetic is used to numb your toe before the surgery. This numbing will remove any pain during the procedure, although you might still feel some pressure.
Once the toe is numb, your podiatrist will cut the ingrown part of the toenail. The severity of your condition determines the extent of the cut. In some cases, you may need to remove a part of the nail or the entire nail.
Post-surgery, you might feel a bit of discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off. However, pain relievers and proper care can help manage this (which we will cover further on in this blog).
Remember, it’s essential to follow all post-procedure guidelines to guarantee a swift and comfortable recovery.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Understanding the causes of ingrown toenails can be useful in helping you prevent this painful condition:
- One common cause is improper nail trimming. When you cut your nails too short or round the edges, you're basically inviting the nail to grow into the skin surrounding your toe.
- Your choice of footwear can also contribute to this problem. Tight-fitting shoes or socks compress your toes and exert pressure on the nail borders, which can lead to an ingrown toenail.
- This condition can also be caused by trauma to your toe, such as stubbing it or dropping something heavy on it.
- Your genetics may play a role too. Some people naturally have nails that curve or grow inward, which increases the likelihood of developing an ingrown toenail.
- Abnormal nail shape or thickness, whether it's due to your genetics or underlying medical conditions, may also affect your nail growth patterns and increase the risk.
Common Myths About Toenail Removal
Common Myth 1: The procedure is painful
To bust the myths about toenail removal, let’s first clarify that the procedure, typically performed under local anaesthesia, guarantees minimal pain during the actual removal.
The anaesthesia numbs your toe, making the procedure painless. The misconception that this process is incredibly painful is simply not accurate at all.
Common Myth 2: The recovery process is painful
One myth is that the pain is severe and long-lasting. While there may be a brief discomfort when the anaesthetic is injected, any discomfort during the removal process is usually more akin to pressure than pain.
Afterwards, any soreness or tenderness you might feel can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief medications. The pain isn’t severe, and it’s certainly not permanent.
Common Myth 3: The toe never fully recovers
Another myth is that the toe never fully recovers. In truth, with proper aftercare, your toe not only heals, but the relief from the ingrown toenail can greatly improve your quality of life.
Good wound care post-procedure can minimise discomfort and promote faster healing.
The Ingrown Toenail Removal Podiatrist Process
Now let’s explore the process of ingrown toenail removal, a procedure that’s typically quick, painless, and performed under local anaesthesia.
Your toe is numbed, ensuring you don’t feel any pain during the actual removal. This part might cause brief discomfort, but it’s over in a flash. Once numbed, the doctor trims or partially removes the offending nail.
While you might feel some pressure or mild pain during the procedure, it’s usually manageable and short-lived. The actual surgery is surprisingly swift, often completed in less than 10 minutes. It’s a small investment of time that brings significant relief.
Once the procedure is done, you’ll likely feel immediate relief from the discomfort caused by the ingrown toenail. There might be some tenderness or soreness in your toe afterwards, but this can be easily mitigated with pain relievers and proper wound care.
Discomfort Levels During Ingrown Toenail Removal
Now, we’ll discuss the pain levels during the removal of an ingrown toenail, a topic that often concerns many patients. You may feel apprehensive about the procedure, but let’s assure you, the process is designed to minimise and even remove all discomfort.
A local anaesthetic is used to numb your toe before the nail is trimmed or removed. The injection might cause brief discomfort, but it’s a small price for the relief it provides during the actual removal. Once the toe is numb, you’ll only feel pressure, not pain, during the procedure.
Remember that any discomfort you feel is usually manageable and short-lived. It’s also worth noting that the post-surgery discomfort is far less severe compared to the relentless pain of an untreated ingrown toenail.
Fast-acting anaesthesia ensures immediate pain relief, making the procedure tolerable for most. After the procedure, any soreness or tenderness can be eased with over-the-counter pain relievers and correct wound care.
Rest assured; the procedure’s primary goal is to provide you relief from the persistent pain of the ingrown toenail. The process is carefully designed to minimise discomfort, keeping your wellbeing in mind.
Post-Removal Recovery Process
After the removal of an ingrown toenail, you may experience mild aches and swelling, which are typical aspects of the recovery process. Don’t fret; this is completely normal and a sign that your body is healing.
Your podiatrist will provide you with a kit that includes a wash, wound dressing, gauze, and bandages. It’s important to use these items properly to make sure your wound stays clean and heals quickly.
Protection of your toe post-surgery is vital. This isn’t just about preventing discomfort; it’s also about promoting healing. Remember, your toe has undergone a procedure and needs time and care to recover.
You’ll need to avoid certain activities, like swimming or heavy exercise, for a short time. This temporary change in your routine will be worth it in the long run, as it will help your toe heal more effectively.
Most individuals can resume normal activities the day after surgery, but remember, everyone’s healing process is different. Listen to your body, and don’t push yourself too hard too soon. The key is to be patient with your recovery and take the necessary steps to make sure your toe heals properly.
Tips to Prevent Future Ingrown Toenails
To keep ingrown toenails at bay in the future, you should consider adopting some preventive measures, such as proper toenail trimming and footwear selection. You may not realise it, but the way you cut your toenails has a big impact on your susceptibility to ingrown toenails.
Instead of following the curve of your toe, aim to trim your nails straight across. This approach prevents the edges of your nails from growing into the skin, reducing the risk of ingrown toenails.
Your choice of footwear is another important factor. Shoes that are too tight can put excessive pressure on your toenails, potentially leading to ingrown toenails. Therefore, it’s important to wear shoes that fit well and provide enough room for your toes.
Maintaining good foot hygiene can also prevent ingrown toenails. Keeping your feet clean and dry helps ward off infections that can exacerbate the problem. Avoid picking or tearing at your toenails, as this can cause damage and increase the risk of ingrown nails.
Finally, if you notice signs of an ingrown toenail, seek prompt treatment to prevent a recurrence.
Summing Up Ingrown Toenail Surgery...
So, you’re wondering if ingrown toenail removal hurts? It’s understandable, but rest assured, the process isn’t as painful as you might think.
You’ll feel some pressure, not pain, during the procedure. Post-surgery discomfort is minimal and manageable with regular pain relievers if you need them (most people don’t).
With local anaesthesia and proper wound care, you’ll be on your way to a comfortable recovery. Don’t let fear hold you back from addressing your painful ingrown toenail.
There are a number of potential remedies for ingrown toenails, so it is important that you speak to an experienced Podiatrist about which treatment will work best for your situation – and the sooner the better. The longer you leave an ingrown toenail, the more difficult it will be to resolve.
If you think you may have an ingrown toenail and want the right professional advice on how to treat it, we currently have a limited offer running to help you out. A GAP FREE ingrown toenail assessment consult (only $59 for those without extras private insurance).
Please feel free to book yourself in online or call our friendly Reception on (03) 9457 2336 today.
Ingrown Toenails
Understand how you get ingrown toenails and what you can do to get rid of them once and for all. You don't need to put up with the pain of an ingrown toenail any longer.
