UKC

I have the start of what I think is an ingrowing toenail. It's not desperately painful (yet) but is causing some discomfort. Anyone have experience of dealing with this? Are there any potions that soften the nail, etc.? Off to the wall this evening and dreading the thought of pain.

In reply to Chauvi:

Cut a small V into your nail - as long as you've caught it early enough it should do the trick.

In reply to Chauvi:

I've had them in both big toes for about 4 years. Once a year or so I have to go to the GPs to have them 'done'. 'Doing' them involves having the offending toe numbed with local anaesthetic (this actually hurts like hell as it involves two jabs with a needle deep into either side of the toe), then the doc cuts away the outside third of the nail and yanks it out. By this stage you can't feel your toe, so it's quite fascinating to watch. Doc then coats a cotton wool bud in phenol and stuffs it into the gaping hole. The idea is that this phenol kills off the nail root, and the ingrowing bit does not regrow. Hence you end up with narrower toe nails. Unfortunately, no matter how much phenol my doc uses, the nails grow back just the same as before and ingrow again. Hence my repeated visits.

I've hardly climbed over the last year, and hence have hardly worn my climbing shoes. My nails are currently mildly ingrowing, but nothing like they have been in the past. I think there may be a connection here.

Hope that helps.

G

In reply to Chauvi: Clean it, roll up a small bit of cotton wool and stick it gently in between nail and skin and paste in germoline. Softens the skin and nail and will give access to cutting of nail. Also betadine anteseptic paint works. Just cut the nail square in future.

This works, i have suffered for a number of years and don't have the problem any more!

In reply to Chauvi: definitely,go for the rolling up of cotton wool-keep it in there, and it forces the nail to grow outwards again, and stops it digging in to the skin-works a treat

In reply to nick verney + others:

Cheers guys. I'll give it a try now.

In reply to Chauvi: cut your toe off with a blunt pair of scissors (beware of the voices)

In reply to Chauvi:
Bad luck!
As a youth I suffered from repeated ingrown toenails on my right foot. I had the nail removed (as described above)about four times but it never got any better.
I went into hospital (two nights!)and they removed the nail bed in an effort to stop the nail from growing again. This certainly cured the ingrowing nails but unfortunately they made a real mess of my toe. They didn't remove all of the nail bed and I still get "odd bits of nail" growing on my toe which now looks deformed!
I didn't start climbing until several years after the operation so I'm pleased to say this has never interfered with my climbing.
My advice would be to see a chiropodist who is likely to know more about this than your average GP.
A friend of mine who is both a climber and a chiropodist took one look at my toe and burst into laughter.
Hope this helps.

In reply to Doug Kerr:

>.. My advice would be to see a chiropodist who is likely to know more about this than your average GP.

Whos advice will be 'Leave it' - it always is (at least from the chiropodist I climb with all the time).

In reply to Graham: Oh yeah that injection hurts like hell. Anyway it sure kills any pain that may occur. Personally tho, I'd say get it done sooner rather than later or your foot 'll go manky.

In reply to Chauvi: Take one pencil sharpener blade, slice down offending bit of toenail. Take tweezers, pliers, or similar, take cut piece of nail in jaws, clamp, and pull. Prepare to want to scream very much. Quite satisfying when all is done tho.

In reply to The surgeon:
I was told by a chiropodist that people cut their nails too short and too often.
His recommendation was to cut them square every three months and never more than every six weeks. Take the advice and wear half a size larger shoe or suffer in later life.

In reply to The surgeon:
God, I think I'll puke now and have nightmares tonight!
I'll keep you all posted as to the gory details and / or cure! Thanks for all the comments.

In reply to Chauvi:

read up on Bob Marley

In reply to Chauvi: go & see a chropadist before it gets too bad , they should be able to sort it by forcing cotton wool under it & making the nail grow higher other wise you may end up having an op to remove it . This is very painful for quite a while afterwards & there is no way you would be able to wear climbing shoes for a few weeks . I have had this problem twice the first time as i knew no better i just left it untill it became infected & full of puss , took months to recover & then had to have it removed The second time i knew better & it cost me a few quid to sort out quickly without any problems .

In reply to Graham:

'strornery picshure in your prophyle
was it dun wile the doc was duing yor tows?