Ingrowing toenail - Surgery needed?!
Question: Ingrowing toenail - Surgery needed!?
In February this year, all the guys and I were moving furniture from one place to another, and I dropped a table on my toe nail!.!.!. YES!!.!.!. it hurt like hell!.!.!.
Anyway, It started to bleed and eventually the toe nail became loose, and just sorta kept falling off a over a course of time!.!.!. because there was a new toe nail growing from underneath!.!.!.
After about 8-9 months later (meaning now)!.!.!. it has pretty much grown back, but theres one problem!.!.!.
The left side of the toe has swollen up a bit, and everytime even the slightest pressure is applid to it, it hurts as if a spear is being hammered into my toe!. My mum has mentioned that it could be an "ingrown" toenail!.!.!. meaning that it grows into the skin & pierces it because it needs more room to continue growing!.!.!. and she suggested surgery!.
However, Im confused!.!.!. who do I speak to about my problem!?!.!. could this be an ingrown toenail!?!.!.!. is surgery neccesary for this problem!?!.!.!. what kind of doctor do I speak to!?!.!.!. Can I speak to my GP!?!.!.!. do they "refer" you to any kind of specialist!? - Because Im worried that a normal family doctor may not specialize in toes & feet!. :/
I hope someone can let me know, thanks in advance!.
P!.S - I'm in Australia!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Anyway, It started to bleed and eventually the toe nail became loose, and just sorta kept falling off a over a course of time!.!.!. because there was a new toe nail growing from underneath!.!.!.
After about 8-9 months later (meaning now)!.!.!. it has pretty much grown back, but theres one problem!.!.!.
The left side of the toe has swollen up a bit, and everytime even the slightest pressure is applid to it, it hurts as if a spear is being hammered into my toe!. My mum has mentioned that it could be an "ingrown" toenail!.!.!. meaning that it grows into the skin & pierces it because it needs more room to continue growing!.!.!. and she suggested surgery!.
However, Im confused!.!.!. who do I speak to about my problem!?!.!. could this be an ingrown toenail!?!.!.!. is surgery neccesary for this problem!?!.!.!. what kind of doctor do I speak to!?!.!.!. Can I speak to my GP!?!.!.!. do they "refer" you to any kind of specialist!? - Because Im worried that a normal family doctor may not specialize in toes & feet!. :/
I hope someone can let me know, thanks in advance!.
P!.S - I'm in Australia!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I had one once, and as I work in a hospital I asked around before I went to my GP!. I ended up going to my emerg department (tho in your case I'd suggest ur GP) and they immediately did a surgical outpatient's referral for me!. (at Royal Adelaide Hosp)!. In emerg they just cleaned it up and dressed it!.
I had to wait about a week (tho they rushed it thru because I'm staff) and then had my appointment, and they said no need for surgery!.
Whilst I waited for my appointment (in ABSOLUTE AGONY mind you) I soaked my toe with gauze and a solution called chlorhexidine (it's blue) at least 3 times a day ('borrowed' from the ward I worked on)!. I think you can get it in phrmacies though, in the first aid section!.
The surgeon said that I had strangely managed to heal it myself, maybe I was just lucky though!.
But i understand the pain, trust me!.
Good luck - I'm quite sure you will be referred to a surgeon by your GP!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I had to wait about a week (tho they rushed it thru because I'm staff) and then had my appointment, and they said no need for surgery!.
Whilst I waited for my appointment (in ABSOLUTE AGONY mind you) I soaked my toe with gauze and a solution called chlorhexidine (it's blue) at least 3 times a day ('borrowed' from the ward I worked on)!. I think you can get it in phrmacies though, in the first aid section!.
The surgeon said that I had strangely managed to heal it myself, maybe I was just lucky though!.
But i understand the pain, trust me!.
Good luck - I'm quite sure you will be referred to a surgeon by your GP!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
A podiatrist is a Dr who specializes in toes and feet!. Depending on insurance you may or may not need a referral from your regular Dr!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
You can always start by going to a podiatrist and get their advice!. They will refer you to a specialist if required!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It sounds like an ingrown toenail!. I don't think surgery is necessary for this but a doctors visit may be necessary if it gets worse or doesn't go away!. Your GP can look at this for you!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Surgery is NOT needed!. Go to Web M!.D!. and ask for quick IN HOME cures!. If those don't work then see a doctor!.Www@Answer-Health@Com