Info about removing an ingrown toenail?!
Question: I am about to go into the ER to get a really bad ingrown toenail removed. I was just wondering how long will this take, and how long after they remove it do you have to stay there? and are you allowed to drive or do you have to have someone there to drive you?
Answers: I am about to go into the ER to get a really bad ingrown toenail removed. I was just wondering how long will this take, and how long after they remove it do you have to stay there? and are you allowed to drive or do you have to have someone there to drive you?
I've had both of my big toenails removed (once without killing the roots, then 20 yrs later, with the roots killed). It will take about 30 minutes once they get started. It's very painful, especially the numming (before they begin). They will recommend that someone drive you home afterwards. I was unable to have anyone drive me home (working out of state & on my own), and I made it OK, but I had to walk out to my car on my heels, and if was difficult driving. If I had a "do over", I would have someone else do the driving.
Note that they can remove just the side edges (& kill the roots that cause it to grow back), rather than the whole nail, but if you have a nail that is full of fungus, it is probably better to remove the entire nail. Note that if they do not kill the roots entirely, then the nail will grow back partially. Again, if you have had long term issues with fungus, it's better to kill the roots, and not grow back a nail.
How long it will take for you to recover varies big time! There are people that can heal in 3-6 months... But from my personal experience it's taking longer. I Had mine done last august on both big toes...the left one was okay but the right one was still messed up so I had it redone in December...now that its March it's stil hurting and I might have to get it redone again! Anyways you will be able to go home immediately and in fact you can drive yourself. You don't feel anything til about the next day actually. Also it doesn't hurt much but if it does take a pain killer and soak your feet in Epsom salts.
I had both of my big toes done at different times...My advise would be to get the doctor to give you a prescriptian for a pain killer before hand and have someone else drive.I don't know if they can do that .I felt nothing when he removed the nail but as soon as I left the office I was in so much pain.Then had to wait 20 minutes for the pain killer at the store, once I took it it felt 100% better.Hope this helps and good luck