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Original poster

Dd and ingrown toe nail removal. Help

26 replies

Mrspimplepopper · 12/10/2021 19:23

Hi

My dd 12 has had problems with ingrown toe nails (both big toes) for a couple of years. Her toes are painful most of the time and if she bangs/knocks them she hits the roof with pain. Today I recieved conformation of her surgery and I'm having a wobble.

Dd will be very very nervous. Shes needle phobic too. How can I best help her? Or I tell her about the date or leave it till a few days before? I'm really worried 😟

OP posts:
user1471530109 · 12/10/2021 19:27

I would discuss it with the GP or whoever is doing the 'surgery'.
I've had it done and I'm not going to lie, the needle was v painful. Plus they then didn't believe me that I could still feel them prodding my nail bed as the anaesthetic hadn't worked! When I jumped out the seat they did Grin.

I'm sure they could put some of the 'magic numbing cream' on for her? I think you can buy it? Even if it's psychological to get her through it Flowers

Original poster
Mrspimplepopper · 12/10/2021 19:28

Sorry I forgot to add, she'll be having a general anesthetic due to her age

OP posts:
BrilloPaddy · 12/10/2021 19:30

DD was miserable with hers, she kept getting constant infections in them and working in a day nursery was a nightmare as the kids kept standing on them! She was 17 when she had them done, and any worries about it were minimal as it was done in outpatients and it was all over very quickly.

She had a week off, had to wear flipflops and it healed really well. She's not had any issues since.

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AnnaMagnani · 12/10/2021 19:30

Who is doing the surgery? If it is a GP, honestly get someone else to do it.

If it's a podiatrist it will be brilliant - this is their speciality and they will take so much care.

My friend who had hers done by a GP told me horror stories about how painful it would be. I had mine done by a podiatrist - not remotely painful and they took loads of care.

Mermaid2007 · 12/10/2021 19:33

My DS 13 years of age had exactly the same problem. He had surgery a few months back and is now pain free! He was also very scared of the injection but after that was done he said it was fine and he didn't feel a thing.

He had very thick dressing on both toes so sliders or similar are needed for afterwards. I keep him off school the next day as I was scared they might get knocked but he was back the day after that playing sports pain free.

BrilloPaddy · 12/10/2021 19:33

Is it just her age for the GA, OP, or is it for a medical reason?

blackcurrantqueen · 12/10/2021 19:33

When she has her pre op screening discuss the needle phobia and they may be able to put her to sleep with a mask and then pop a cannula in when she's asleep x

Babdoc · 12/10/2021 19:34

Ask the anaesthetist to put digital nerve blocks into the toes after your DD is unconscious. It will mean she wakes with completely numb comfy toes in the recovery room.
I did this routinely with my young child patients (retired anaesthetist). Older children/teens were usually fine with just nerve blocks and no GA.

NapoleonOzmolysis · 12/10/2021 19:36

General? That's much better. I was lying down with my feet raised and head lowered and still managed to pass out when they stuck that massive needle in between my toes Grin Last time DD had a general there was a play specialist who did a social story amd talked through what was going to happen, then they lathered emla cream everywhere and were very gentle and didn't let DD see any needles - they put the cannula in when she was sitting on me in such a way as her hand was behind my back and she was distracted looking the other way.

fruitpastille · 12/10/2021 19:49

My dd had hers done age 11 by the podiatrist at a local nhs clinic age 11 - she didn't need general. As pp said, the needle going in was very painful but within seconds it was numb and she was happy after that. It didn't take long and we had open toe shoes to go home in. They gave us some spare dressings and they healed fine. I'm so glad they were done and she's been pain free since.

legalseagull · 12/10/2021 19:54

I'm surprised by the general! I really suffered with this from 11-16. I must have had the op with local anaesthetic close to 10 times. They used to put a type of acid in to kill the nail bed and stop it growing back. Never bloody worked and I'd be back again later in the year.
If she's got a general she has nothing to worry about. It's incredibly quick and she won't feel a thing

Original poster
Mrspimplepopper · 12/10/2021 19:59

Thankyou for all your reassurance. I keep second guessing myself about her having the anesthetic, I'm just a wuss I guess. She really wants it doing but I know how incredibly nervous she will be. I havent told her she has a date yet

OP posts:
DiDonk · 12/10/2021 20:04

I had a general for ingrown toenails at 12, it was great and I felt nothing.

Did hurt a bit afterwards but nothing like a treatment at the podiatrist.

AnnaMagnani · 12/10/2021 20:07

General? She will be fine. The whole team will be very used to needle phobic young people.

Also she will feel better almost immediately. Feet will be sore for a week - will need open-toed sandals (I had to go and buy some in the middle of winter, there were none on the shelves!) but the way you are describing it they are v sore anyway.

After that - happiness Smile

cpjoli · 12/10/2021 20:10

My DS had both big toes done a few years ago. Best thing we ever did. Had a GA, play specialists came and explained and he had no pain at all after.

Original poster
Mrspimplepopper · 12/10/2021 20:11

I'm feeling so much better about the situation already. Thankyou

OP posts:
ftw163532 · 12/10/2021 20:12

It might be helpful to remember that most people will be nervous. It's normal but also survivable.

She's old enough to understand if you explain that and also that the nerves are her body preparing her and making sure she is ready. That makes it feel more positive because it's a useful thing not just a horrible feeling. You can get her to breathe with you to calm down if she is feeling panicked.

I wouldn't spring the date on her unless she's asked you not to tell her until the last minute - it might make the whole thing feel more out of control and therefore frightening. Again, 12 is old enough to have that conversation - how much notice would she like. Finding ways to feel in control is a good approach to managing nerves/fear, so having that conversation is one way to feel some control (for both of you!).

vickibee · 12/10/2021 20:15

My son was 14 and had this procedure in lockdown, he was in agony and the nhs wouldn’t see him so I paid private. He had the local anaesthetic, he said it was painful but worth it as the pain from his toe was much worse. He also has asd so he was very brave

StrongCoffeAvalanche · 12/10/2021 20:16

I had it done around the same age. Was done privately under general anaesthetic. Was really ok, no stress or worry at all. Healed beautifully and I've not had a problem with it since!

habibihabibi · 12/10/2021 20:17

General will def be better. I had one done under GA as a teen and the surgeon said he'd do both but i declined. Role on about 20 years and I had to get the other one done under local as was pregnant...I think my CS was less painful.
Afterwards recovery was fine and such a relief not to be trouble with ouchy toes

Original poster
Mrspimplepopper · 12/10/2021 20:41

Because my dd is needle phobic we discussed gas induction at her clinic appointment. Has anyone had experience of gas inductions vs intravenous? Can I ask for a premed for her still?

Sorry for making such a fuss

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrspimplepopper · 12/10/2021 20:42

I'm grateful to everyone who has replied. It's good to know most of you are glad you had it done. Dd does have a lot of pain with her toes

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 12/10/2021 21:34

@Mrspimplepopper

Because my dd is needle phobic we discussed gas induction at her clinic appointment. Has anyone had experience of gas inductions vs intravenous? Can I ask for a premed for her still?

Sorry for making such a fuss

Talk to the anaesthetist. A gas induction isn’t necessarily less stressful. As pp said - the team will be used to dealing with anxious kids and will be able to make a sensible plan with her. (DOI: anaesthetist).
BobaTea · 18/10/2021 13:53

Can I ask how much does it cost for the procedure if done privately? And is private less invasive/painful than a GP?

vickibee · 18/10/2021 17:09

We paid £300 for this including all after care