Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Ingrown toenail

43 replies

Emma3210 · 30/07/2023 09:12

Just looking if someone can offer some advice or help.

I've been suffering with ingrown toenails since last year, I've been on two lots of antibiotics for them, been to the GP, been to NHS foot clinic, been to minor injuries and I'm still no better off.

The last time I went to the foot clinic they said there was nothing they could do and I need to be seen in the hospital podiatry for surgery on both big toes to remove both sides of both nails. They did silver nitrate on the skin granulation I've had form on both toes but that only gave a couple of days relief. I am in extreme pain and currently off sick from work because even standing causes me pain now. I can't even wear socks.

How am I meant to wait weeks for surgery when I'm not practically house bound and only 30 years old. It's really starting to get to me now.

Who can I ring? Who can I ask? How can I get this done ASAP?

I have tried to go private but they don't have an appointment until September and have said I would have to have an initial chat appointment first despite knowing what procedure I need to have done.

Someone please help :(

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 01/08/2023 21:08

Sending solidarity and speedy healing!

Littledogball · 01/08/2023 21:18

Have you got a before pic?!!! Glad you got it sorted so quickly

Original poster
Emma3210 · 02/08/2023 06:14

Littledogball · 01/08/2023 21:18

Have you got a before pic?!!! Glad you got it sorted so quickly

This is from two months ago when I had silver nitrate put on the over skin granulation (hense why they're black), it lasted two weeks before it just grew back. It had also gone to all four sides of the big toes. I've been suffering with these since last October. I'll never let them get as bad again xx

Ingrown toenail
OP posts:
CatchMeQuick · 02/08/2023 06:27

Poor you, that looks so painful - hope you're feeling much better now!

Hopefully you can now see a podiatrist regularly and they can help make sure it doesn't come back. I get this too but luckily can usually pull them out before it gets bad!

TodayInahurry · 02/08/2023 06:37

I have one toe like that, big toe nail came off twice after being stomped on by horses. I go to a foot private lovely lady every 6 weeks. I never even thought about the NHS.

Questionsforyou · 02/08/2023 21:11

Hooray!! Mine were awful for years, absolutely awful.
Never looked back after the surgery. So pleased for you.

Willthispaingoaway · 08/08/2023 19:46

I am so pleased for you but so envious. I have problems with five toes. Three have been operated on but have pieces of nail embedded into them. It’s causing me so much pain and I don’t think they can do anything as too swollen to get into. I could feel your relief in the messages.

Original poster
Emma3210 · 09/08/2023 07:27

Willthispaingoaway · 08/08/2023 19:46

I am so pleased for you but so envious. I have problems with five toes. Three have been operated on but have pieces of nail embedded into them. It’s causing me so much pain and I don’t think they can do anything as too swollen to get into. I could feel your relief in the messages.

That sounds awful, I'm so sorry to hear you're suffering so much 😔 I hate how it doesn't seem to be dealt with as a priority even though it can be so debilitating. Is there nothing they can suggest to do? Have you thought about private? I know it's expensive and I left it until the last resort but to be honest I've been kicking myself for not doing it sooner. I completely understand that unfortunately it's not feasible for everyone. Hope you're okay x

OP posts:
Lojama75 · 13/08/2023 16:54

My son is in this situation. He is 14 and autistic. This is the second toe that he has had problems with. His other toenail was dealt with on NHS in Nov 2020 after 18 months of agony and 5 courses of antibiotics. His other big toe started having problems and we are now 18 months into more agony, bleeding and antibiotics. He has had nail fully removed at the GP's but has grown back worse! We had our first NHS consultation last week and were told we had to wait a year for surgery. His mobility is affected as it is so painful and bleeds so much if he walks too far on it. He needs to have a general anaesthetic as he is too jumpy. Looking at a cost of hundreds of pounds. I literally don't know what to do!

Lojama75 · 13/08/2023 16:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Doingmybesteveryday · 04/01/2024 21:53

What are they like now op? My local clinic has told me 8 weeks recovery and can’t be wearing shoes and socks! I can’t do that as I work in an office, but if i leave it it will get worse and hurt even more! Thanks

Original poster
Emma3210 · 05/01/2024 06:42

Hello, I had both toenails done and they're completely recovered now and I will NEVER EVER let them get in the state they were or wait as long to get them sorted! They told me 8 weeks too which sounds horrendous but it's really not. You have big bandages on for the first 2/3 days and then you put normal plasters on and can wear normal shoes. The 8 weeks is literally how long the wound takes to heal, but it will heal as you go along and under a normal plaster. I work wearing steel toe caps boots and was back in them on day 3 with no pain :) if I can answer anything else please ask

OP posts:
Goldypants · 05/01/2024 06:59

What a great thread

surely in an office your toes are under a desk who cares what shoes you’ve got on

Leannew14 · 02/02/2024 19:09

Hi. I'm really glad for you that you eventually got your ingrown nails sorted. I'm going through the pain right now and I wondered, when you had your procedure did you have granulation tissue? If so, did they remove the granulation tissue as well or did they cut under it?

Original poster
Emma3210 · 05/02/2024 06:18

Hi it was the granulation that was causing me the most discomfort/pain etc. They just work round it in the procedure and said it would go on its own.....I was sceptical that it would....but it did!! Its the ingrown toenail which is causing the granulation so as soon as that's removed it shrinks and goes. Took about two weeks but all sorted now

OP posts:
RooLou85 · 15/04/2024 12:00

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, i'm due to have this op in two weeks, i normally do a dance class and the new term is due to start a week after i've had this done - is that too soon for exercise do you think?
Also how do your toes feel now? all good?

mrssunshinexxx · 15/04/2024 14:14

@RooLou85 hmm I wouldn't do it the week after and can you do it without shoes on?

RooLou85 · 15/04/2024 20:46

mrssunshinexxx · 15/04/2024 14:14

@RooLou85 hmm I wouldn't do it the week after and can you do it without shoes on?

No, it’s a definite shoes on sort of thing. That’s what I thought but I’ve seen some people who have said they were totally back to normal wear and tear after 3days. But I think better safe than sorry, so I’ll give this term a miss. Thanks for responding 😀

New posts on this thread. Refresh page