11 replies to this topic

[bythegraceofGod]

Does anyone else have this issue?
I have minimal feeling in my left foot, and no feeling in my right foot. I cant feel a toenail with an issue, until its an issue on the left foot. Then my foot is sohypersensitivee it is a real pain (literally as well as figuratively) to remove it. My right foot is no issue, it can be dug at all day and I don't feel it.
It may be a good thing that I am on doxycycline forever because of a MRSA infection around my hardware. I think without out it I would have some serious infections.
Not to be gross, but more often than not there is a puss pocket around the ingrown nail.

[Ohiokitten4]

I used to work for a Podiatrist, he always said patients were to soak in a mix of even parts of warm water and white vinegar. Try it, see if it helps with the pus! I have also heard you should cut your toe nails straight across and not curved on the sides. Good Luck~!~

[bythegraceofGod]

THX! I will try it.

[Snakeye]

I must watch my toes or will get an ingrown nail, which will certainly fire-up your spasticity and or infection...One should keep your toe-nails cut evenly across...Soak in warm salt water to ease the pain...

[my-sister]

my sister has the same problem. we found out that she was injuring her toenails when doing the stim-bike. every time the electric stim went through her legs ~ it was making her toes raise up inside of her shoes and it irritated her toenails. so now she gets strapped in with socks and towels around her feet. we've been working to correct the issue for quite some time and have had the dr. cut out her ingrown nails on her big toes. we also realized that her closed toe teds (compression stalkings) were not helping matters.
the dr. recommended salt water soaks, honey drawling salve and periodically a topical antibiotic. one toe is almost completely normal now. we're still working on the other. it's weird... we think it's about to completely heal and then it swells and pusses up again. oh, the dr. also recommended crocs, or no shoes (when you can) or shoes with a wider, rounder toe area. oh, and open-toes compression stalkings...
good luck with your tootsies!

Edited by my-sister, 28 August 2011 - 01:48 AM.

[coffeecups]

Cut your toe nails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.

Instead of cutting them out, soak your foot in warm water and Epsom salt. (Sounds like almost any warm soak might work.). When my father gets an ingrown toenail he has always cut them out. I told him the Epsom salt trick and he was highly skeptical. When it worked he was shocked. But it sure beats cutting them out.

[ClaraTaylor]

I used to get ingrown toe nails but now have a delightful chap cut my nails for me (and generally look after my feet - worth every penny!!!) He always leaves my toe nails slightly longer than I used too and as everyone else says cuts straight across. Works a treat Plus I get nice soft feet without the hassle of trying to bend enough to get down there too them.

[Edinburgh Colin]

I had problems last year and the podiatrist said "do not cut your nails" rather just give them a gentle file with a metal nail file 1 time a week. I also got an iodine spray from my GP which you put on after rubbing the edges of the toes and cuticles after a shower. It's great for stopping inflammation and infractions.
Been trouble free for nearly a year.
EC

[why_d]

i have terrible problems with ingrowing toenails, which oddly only began after my accident. it got to the point where i was seeing a podiatrist every 2 weeks. was a nightmare. in the end i had to get 5 permanently removed. it's great. have no feeling so never hurt. tho did look a bit gross for a while but now they're healed you'd never really notice unless you actually took time to look and as i dont wear sandals or anything no one is really aware of it. but means no infections or problems. if you're given the option i'd def recommend the removal. v simple and quick procedure.

Edited by why_d, 28 August 2011 - 11:15 AM.

[wheeliebear75]

Well being that I'm also legally blind I've had problems with ingrown toenails since I was a kid which was prior to getting the SCI. Hazards of not seeing well, finding everything with your feet 1st. My problem is that I don't feel them when I 1st stub my toe....1/2 the time I don't even realized I stubbed my toe in the 1st place....kinda compounds the problem....I run them into things....a LOT. Being that I'm diabetic.....I now get a THOROUGH food exam & pedicure (by the Dr. or his nurse) @ EVERY appointment....sheesh get the TOE infected just ONCE from an ingrown toe-NAIL & I've never been able to live it down.

[spinalcordfree]

I hardly ever refer for anti-biotics for my ingrown toe nails, aside from the seriously infected, cellulitis type infections.

[brockit79]

Hi

In clinic I would recommend removal of the toe nail (total nail avulsion) or removal of just the side affected (partial nail avulsion). It is recommended for people with adequate arterial blood supply with no factors which will impede healing such as uncontrolled diabetes. Your podiatrist should tell you their opinion on whether they feel the procedure is suitable for you.

Once healed the skin will heal and toughen over and it actually isn't really that noticable.

If there are factors which will impede healing your podiatrist may perform the procedure but with out the use of phenol. Phenol is the chemical which stops the nail from growing back.

Best of luck
Broc

Edited by brockit79, 22 October 2011 - 02:55 PM.