Recovery From Toenail Removal Surgery
After your toenail is removed, you will most likely wear a bandage or a Band-Aid for two weeks, during which time your mobility may be somewhat limited. You will be advised to keep your foot elevated as much as possible, but most patients are able to walk easily after toenail removal.
The first night there may be some throbbing, but ibuprofen or acetaminophen should be sufficient to keep the pain under control. Within a few days, you will be nearly back to normal, and within about two weeks you should be able to resume all your normal activities.
After the procedure, typically the bandage is kept on for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you may remove your bandage and soak the affected toe in lukewarm water and Epsom salt for 20 minutes once or twice a day.
Following soaking, cover the procedure site with a topical antibacterial and a Band-Aid. Your doctor will want to see you within a week or two in order to make sure no infection is present and to clean out the procedure site.
Medical References:
This page was last updated on October 2nd, 2015
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How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Nail Fungus
To find out if a patient has nail fungus, a dermatologist examines your nails and nearby skin. Its important to check the skin because the fungus can spread. You may already have a skin infection caused by fungus like athletes foot.
To get rid of the infection, you will need to treat all infected areas.
Before giving you the diagnosis, your dermatologist may also take some samples. Collecting a bit of debris from beneath a nail, trimming off part your nail, or scraping off a bit of skin can be very helpful. In a lab, these samples can be examined under a microscope to find out whats causing the problem.
Are you hiding an infected nail with nail polish?
Be sure to ask your dermatologist if you can wear nail polish while treating nail fungus.
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The Nail Avulsion Procedure: What To Expect
Your toenail removal operation will most likely not take very long. To begin, the surgeon will have you lie on your back, either with your knee flexed and your foot flat on the table, or with the knee extended so that the foot hangs off the edge of the table.
Partial nail avulsion: This is usually indicated for ingrown toenails. A local anesthetic is injected into the toe, and the surgeon cuts away the ingrown portion of the nail with surgical scissors, being careful not to injure the nail bed .
It may take three to four months for the excised portion of the nail to grow back, unless a permanent removal or cauterization of the nail matrix was performed.
Complete nail avulsion: This procedure involves complete removal the entire nail with as little trauma as possible. Again, while this may be unsettling for the reader to contemplate, it is almost painless.
Matrixectomy: If your doctor believes the destruction of the nail matrix is necessary after removing the toenail, he or she will perform a partial or full matrixectomy , which is permanent toenail removal by applying a chemical agent to the matrix.
In some cases the nail matrix is destroyed with electrocautery ablation, using electricity to burn it away. Laser procedures can also be used for this purpose, but the necessary equipment is prohibitively expensive for most practices, and in the majority of cases unnecessary.
Laser Therapy For Fungal Toenails
Do you have thick, yellow, discolored toenails? Are you embarrassed to wear your open-toed shoes in public?
Chances are you have fungal toenails, a condition also known as onychomycosis.
Fungal toenails are caused by an organism that grows in and under the nail.The fungus likes to grow in warm, moist places like your shoes. Many patients pick up fungal toenail infections in the gym locker room, from a nail salon, wet shoes or from trauma.
Fungus can stay in the nails for many years and can be passed from one person to another.
There are currently three treatment modalities for this condition. They include
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topical medications
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oral medications
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the newest modality, laser therapy
At our podiatry practice, Dr. Darlyne Cange uses a laser, which focuses a concentrated beam of laser light through the nail to eradicate the fungus living under and in the nail. The procedure is performed right in our office, requires no anesthesia and is painless. Most patients require only three treatments and can once again enjoy wearing open toed shoes.
If you’re tired of looking at those unsightly toenails, please contact our office to determine if you are a candidate for laser therapy.
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Why It Is Done
Surgical nail removal is usually performed only when a large portion of the nail is diseased and damaged or if your nails are very painful. In some cases, only the diseased portion is removed, not the entire nail. This procedure is rarely needed.
Risks of this procedure include:
- Infection. You can reduce the risk of infection by keeping the area clean.
- Abnormal nail growth. When the nail grows back, it may be odd in shape and appearance.
Current as of: November 15, 2021
How Do Dermatologists Treat A Fungal Nail Infection
Treatment usually begins with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail, cutting back each infected nail to the place where it attaches to your finger or toe. Your dermatologist may also scrape away debris under the nail. This helps get rid of some fungus.
To completely get rid of the infection, most people also need one or more of the following treatments:
Medicine you apply to the nail: If you have a mild infection, a medicine that you apply to your nails may get rid of the infection. This treatment helps keep new fungus out while the nails grow. Fingernails typically grow out in four to six months. Toenails take longer, usually takes 12 to 18 months.
Probably the most difficult part of this treatment is remembering to use it as often as prescribed. Some treatments must be applied every day. Others you apply once a week. To get the best results, its essential that you apply these medicines exactly as directed.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the following medicines that you apply to the nail to treat nail fungus:
Side effects from these medicines are generally mild. Possible side effects include redness and swelling, an ingrown toenail, and stinging or burning when you apply the medicine. In clinical trials, none of these side effects caused patients to stop using the treatment.
Antifungal pills, however, can cause side effects. Your dermatologist will watch you closely. Youll also need to have blood tests every month to check for problems.
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How Do You Get A Fungal Nail Infection
Most fungal nail infections occur as a result of the fungi that cause athlete’s foot infecting the nails.
These fungi often live harmlessly on your skin, but they can sometimes multiply and lead to infections. The fungi prefer warm, dark and moist places like the feet.
You’re more likely to get a fungal nail infection if you:
- don’t keep your feet clean and dry
- wear shoes that cause your feet to get hot and sweaty
- walk around barefoot in places where fungal infections can spread easily, such as communal showers, locker rooms and gyms
- have damaged your nails
- have a weakened immune system
- have certain other health conditions, such as diabetes, psoriasis or peripheral arterial disease
Fungal nail infections can be spread to other people, so you should take steps to avoid this if you have an infection.
How Will A Medical Professional Remove A Toenail
If you dont have a podiatrist, start with a visit to a doctor. Be sure to let the doctor know if you have diabetes or another condition that can affect the feet.
After a physical examination of your toes, your doctor may find it necessary to order an X-ray. This will help assess the structure of the toe to see if theres more damage below the surface.
Your doctor can determine if you may benefit from other treatments or partial removal of the nail.
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Toenail Fungus Is An Infection That Can Be Contracted In A Variety Of Ways
While some people have a mild case and barely notice the fungal growth at all, others suffer from intense pain and other symptoms as their infection grows and spreads.
Our Advice to You:If you have an infection in your toenail, do not wait to see a specialist. The sooner you get proper care, the quicker and more effectively your injury can be addressed.
Alternative Cures For Toenail Fungus
Although laser toenail fungus removal is an effective treatment for some patients, it is not the only option in the fight against onychomycosis. In addition to costly laser methods, there are several at-home remedies you can try to help clear up your toenail fungal infection. Just be sure to speak with a doctor before trying to rid your infection on your own, especially if you do not see improvement within a couple of weeks of administering natural treatments.
Notice concerning medical entries:
Articles having medical content shall serve exclusively for the purpose of general information. Such articles are not suitable for any diagnosis and treatment of individual illnesses and medical indications. In particular, they cannot substitute for the examination, advice, or treatment by a licensed physician or pharmacist. No replies to any individual questions shall be effected through the articles.
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What Happens During A Toenail Removal Procedure
Your doctor can perform the surgery in about 20 minutes in their clinic. You will get a local anesthetic and a prescription for pain medication. It is a safe, simple procedure that rarely results in complications.
Heres what you can expect:
- Your foot care doctor injects an anesthetic into the skin around your toe.
- The doctor then uses a special tool to remove the toenail.
- Your doctor applies a bandage to the surgical wound.
> > > Best Toe Fungus Treatment Available
If you suspect your nails are infected with fungus, it is important to see a doctor. You should consult a doctor for treatment. A nail fungus can be treated with home remedies. Baking soda and vinegar can also help to eliminate the fungus. In some cases, you can even apply a diluted solution of one of these solutions. You should avoid touching the affected area as it may cause further complications.
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About Fungal Nail Infection
Many people develop a fungal nail infection at some point in their life. It’s not usually serious, but can be unpleasant and difficult to treat.
The infection develops slowly and causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened and distorted.
Toenails are more frequently affected than the fingernails.
The medical name for a fungal nail infection is onychomycosis.
How Is Toenail Fungus Removed
Do you keep your feet hidden from view because you feel embarrassed by your yellow toenails? Treating toenail fungus can be challenging. Even if you faithfully apply over-the-counter products, you may see no change in your nails despite months of treatment. Our Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists, Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas, discuss toenail fungus and explain what can be done to treat it.
What caused my toenails to turn yellow?
Your toenail turns an unsightly shade of yellow when it’s infected by dermatophytes, fungi that consume keratin, a protein found in nails. It’s very easy to catch the fungus. In fact, you can pick it up if you walk barefoot in public locker rooms or pool areas or share socks, shoes, towels or sheets with someone has toenail fungus.
Several factors may increase your risk of developing an infection, including:
How can my foot doctor help?
Podiatrists offer effective treatments that can finally clear your nails. When you visit our Wesley Chapel office, we may recommend one or more of these options:
Improve the condition of your nails with toenail fungus treatment. Call our Wesley Chapel, FL, podiatrists, Drs. George and Kathy Tjamaloukas, at 909-0865 to schedule your appointment.
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What If Nail Removal Is Considered
With laser therapy, topical medications, and oral antifungals in our arsenal, we almost never have to actually remove toenails to treat a fungal infection. It does still remain a rare possibility, however, if the case is extreme or continues to come back.
Why not consider nail removal earlier? Because when nails are fully removed, it doesnt necessarily guarantee that the new nail will grow in properly. The nail can grow back misshapened, thickened, or even with fungus re-infecting the toenail – leading you back to square one.
If the new nail comes back in an unpleasant manner or the fungus just continues coming back no matter what, we can treat the underlying nail matrix to prevent new nail from ever growing again . This does not place your nails at any real disadvantage, but its still nice to be able to keep your toenails if you can!
Common Symptoms Of Toenail Fungus
Many cases of toenail fungus are mild and may not bother you, so you may not even realize you have a fungal infection. A toenail fungal infection can begin as a white or yellow spot under the toenail and present no other symptoms. As the condition worsens, it may become painful or uncomfortable when you walk in shoes, and you may notice a change in the appearance of the nail.
The following symptoms are common if you have a fungal nail infection:
- Nails that turn white or yellow or have yellow or white stripes
- Thickened or oddly-shaped toenails
- Nails that are brittle or crumbling
- Nails that separate from the nail bed or fall off completely
- Foul odor from the infected toenail
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Know It May Have To Be Permanent
At this point, if he or she has not discussed this with you earlier, the doctor may recommend that you have the nail permanently prevented from growing back. This is only done in severe cases of fungus or other disorders where the problem would simply keep occurring if the nail grew back.
To do this, the doctor must destroy the nail matrix, which is the part of the toe that produces keratin, the element that toenails are made of.
The matrix can be dissolved chemically, which is the most common. This is called chemical cauterization, and involves the application of a chemical called phenol. Occasionally, some patients report their nails growing back, but generally this method is effective.
If this does not work, your doctor will perform a surgical matrixectomy. A flap of skin is surgically created at the base of the nail, where the matrix is located. After retracting the flap, the matrix is surgically removed.
The Lamisil Terbinafine Antifungal Cream Treats Fungus All Over The Body
Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women’s Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University.
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Verywell Health / Peter Ardito
Toenail fungus is a common fungal condition that often starts after a rash on the foot spreads to the nails. When mild, it looks like white and yellow spots growing under the nail beds. If left untreated, the fungus can grow severely by hardening the nails and spreading to other toes.
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Why Undergo Nail Surgery
Nail fungus is an infection that usually affects toenails, but it can also infect fingernails. If left untreated, nails can become thick, brittle, with unsightly discoloration which can lead to part of the nail breaking. In some cases, it may be painful. At this point, surgical treatment might be necessary.What happens during surgical nail fungus treatment?
During surgical nail removal, a doctor will inject pain reliever medication in the affected toe or finger. The skin surrounding the nail will be loosened, and a tool will be used to remove only the diseased part. If the extent of infection is great, then consideration will be made to remove the whole nail.
Does A Fungal Infection Require Toenail Removal
If you want to get rid of fungal toenails, you might think that the only option you may really have is to remove the toenails entirely.
And its not difficult to see why some people may think that, especially if the fungus has been around for a long time and has an appearance that is thick, discolored, and crumbling. It may be hard to imagine anything remedying the situation.
Outright removing your toenails, however, is the absolute last resort option for treating toenail fungus, and only performed in very rare cases. We would much rather use non-surgical forms of treatment that clear out the fungus and allow fresh, clear nail tissue to naturally grow in and take the place of old, damaged nails.
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