The ingrown nail is a common and quite serious disease. Unfortunately, many patients ignore his early symptoms and are wondering how to treat an ingrown nail when it is already beginning to fester. However, at this stage the problem is aggravated to such an extent that after treatment the patient expects a long and painful recovery period. That is, the main thing in a quick and successful recovery is the right treatment started in time. And now we will consider in detail how and where to treat an ingrown nail.
What if the nail grows?
First of all, if the ingrowth of the nail occurs on the legs, you should give up wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. The affected finger should be applied with a sterile bandage to avoid infection and seek medical help as soon as possible.
Which doctor treats an ingrown nail?
The growth of the nail edge in the nail roller is called scientific onychriptosis, and the surgeon treats this disease. It should be addressed if you notice such symptoms as pain, redness and swelling of the skin near the nail. In addition, in many clinics today work podologi - doctors, specializing in problems with feet. And since in most cases an ingrown nail is formed on the toes, these specialists will easily help in the treatment of this disease.
Methods of treatment of ingrown nail
- Removal of ingrown nail surgically. The surgical method is considered traditional in the treatment of onochryptosis. Depending on the stage of the disease, the nail can be partially removed (or excised) along with the affected circumgneal ridge, or the whole nail plate is ruptured. This procedure occurs under local anesthesia. After the operation, sutures are applied and for some time (up to a month) daily dressings are made. The new nail grows in about six months. If during the surgical intervention the nail growth zone is damaged, then in future the shape of the growing nail plate can be distorted. This, along with the fact that the probability of recurrence persists after surgery, is a significant disadvantage of the method.
- Correction of ingrown nail with a laser. More preferable in the treatment of ingrown nails are modern laser technology. Under local anesthesia with the help of a laser, the ingrown part of the nail and the excess of soft tissues are accurately, neatly and bloodlessly removed. After the procedure, laser correction does not require suturing, and the recovery period lasts much less than with the surgical method. And, most importantly, laser treatment eliminates the re-ingrowth of the nail (the inner edge of the nail ceases to grow).
- Correction of ingrown nails with plates. Progressive non-surgical method of treatment of ingrown nail - the use of corrective devices. On the nail are fixed special springs, metal or plastic plates, staples, which promote the gradual extension of the nail plate and raise its lateral edge, reduce pressure on the nail roller. These devices are almost invisible, do not interfere with the wearing of shoes,
can be covered with nail polish . A few days after the application of the plate, the growing edge of the nail is painlessly removed. The duration of treatment is from several weeks to several months. - Tamponade of ingrown nail. Tamponade involves the introduction between the nail and the nail roller soft material (for example, kapolina), impregnated with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory solutions. This method is effective only at the initial stage of the disease, and is also used to prevent ingrown nails and with a predisposition to this pathology.