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The problem of ingrown toenails often occurs as a result of injuries and sometimes also as a result of diseases. This painful ailment can be dealt with by using the procedure that corrects the direction of the nail growth. In the most advanced cases, a painful ingrown toenail will prevent surgery.
Who is affected by the problem of ingrown toenails?
The reasons for the ingrowth of the side edges of the nail under the skin vary and the disease can occur at any age. Enough excessive shortening of the nail, an injury or an impact injury. The culprit may also be too tight shoes that put pressure on the toes for a long time.
The risk of this ailment increases in overweight people, and untreated mycosis is an additional contributing factor. People with certain foot deformities are also prone to ingrown toenails.
Zobacz: How To Treat Ingrown Toenail?
Specialized treatments for ingrown nails
W the initial stage of ingrown nail The correct shape of the plate can be restored by a pedicure properly made in a beauty salon – tamponing is used for this purpose, i.e. applying a special dressing. However, when the problem is more serious, it causes pain, there is inflammation or the nail has damaged tissues, an appointment with a podiatrist or surgeon will be necessary. Special treatments for ingrown nails are:
- Tubes correcting the ingrown toenail. The method is effective at an early stage of the development of ailments. If the toenail starts to grow to a small extent, this process can be stopped thanks to the correction tubes. The small element used here has the shape of a gutter that slides over the edge of the nail. The shield obtained in this way protects the skin from pressure and causes the plaque to gradually begin to grow properly. The tube should be left on the nail for a sufficiently long time, as recommended by the specialist. The prices of the procedure start from PLN 30, to which the cost of follow-up visits should be added.
There are also gel guards for ingrown toenails available on Medonet Market to help treat the condition at home.
- Clamps correcting the ingrown toenail. Clasps are a method similar to tubes in the very assumption, because their task is to change the direction of the nail growth. However, they are used in more difficult cases, when the ingrowth of the nail is already well advanced or recurs. Depending on the specific case, the podiatrist may recommend plastic or metal clasps. You should wait for the effect until the nail grows completely. Putting on a single plastic buckle can cost about PLN 60, while the price of more durable wire buckles usually exceeds PLN 100. As in the case of tubes, also the clamps require regular check-ups, the cost of which is about PLN 50.
- Arkada’s Cube – it is a procedure of correcting the shape of the nail plate without shortening it. It consists in modifying the shape of the nail and giving it a new growth path. The lesion is fixed with acrylic resin. The advantage of this method is the quick effect, even after just one visit. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and the price for the big toe is on average PLN 250-400.
- Laser treatment of ingrown nails consists in removing the problematic part of the nail fold. The procedure requires anesthesia, but it can also be performed in the case of inflammation caused by inappropriate nail growth. The prices of the procedure depend on the city and the clinic, and can be as high as PLN 250-300.
- Ingrown nail surgery. The last resort and the most invasive method of treating ingrown toenails is surgery. It can be recommended in the case of superinfections and risk of infection, as well as when attempts to direct the nail growth have failed. Depending on the situation, the problematic part of the nail is removed, and sometimes even the entire plate. The procedure is performed under anesthesia. If we decide to have it performed by a surgeon, some clinics will allow you to use the reimbursement. Private clinics are a way to avoid queues for a free treatment. There, the prices depend on the complexity of the procedure and are usually in the range of PLN 250-400.
A nail reconstruction procedure is also available on Medonet Market, which can be helpful in ingrown nails or after a mechanical injury.
How to take care of nails after the procedure?
In the case of less invasive procedures, the most important thing is to remove the factor that led to the ingrown nail. This mainly applies to changing shoes or going to a specialist who will recommend wearing the appropriate insoles. It is also important to modify foot care or prevent athlete’s foot from developing. In the case of surgical intervention, hygiene and care of the wound are key to facilitate the healing process.