For the past week and a half, I have been suffering with an ingrown toenail. I had hoped I would not have to go to a doctor about it, but sometime last week it became infected (I know eew!).
If you have never had one, I can assure you it is a terribly painful condition. In most cases — mine included — it is caused by clipping your big toenail too short. I had a hard time believing this was really the problem, as I could clearly see the edge of the nail. But, my doctor assured me, this was the case, and informed me she would be removing part of my nail (double eek!).
The procedure involved shooting my foot up with lidocaine and clipping off a small portion of my nail. I was surprised how relatively painless the entire procedure was. The worst part was the description. Even after the lidocaine was long gone, I had no pain.
I learned two things from this experience: cut your toenails straight across rather than with the curve of your toe, and see the doctor as soon as you see any swelling. Waiting it out doesn’t work.
[tags]medical procedures,ingrown toenail,feet[/tags]
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