Years ago I had an ingrown toenail and my Dr. removed it, when it grew back, it grew in deformed. The base of the toe looks relatively normal, but if I let it grow, by the time it gets to the end of my toe, it’s a curled together, raised up mess. Is there anything I can do to fix this? My Dr. said have it removed and killed so it won’t grow back. I REALLY don’t want to do that!! My toe was very painful last time and I would rather not try living with a tender toe, not to mention I’d like to have normal looking toes because I live to wear flip flops. Any advice?
I have one toenail (left index) that’s phenomenally thick so impossible to really cut, though it doesn’t grow much so I do occasional filing. It doesn’t hurt or interfere with walking. It just looks a little janky.
My (now ex-) wife hated how it looked so told me to ask the doctor about it. He said he could prescribe something to take care of it, but those meds came with a myriad of significantly worse side effects, so I said Forget It. Even the Mrs. (who was usually not easily dissuaded in such matters) admitted it wasn’t worth it.
My rec: If it’s not really impeding with your mobility or comfort in any way, just let it be.
I have exactly the same thing on one big toe for exactly the same reason. The nail bed is destroyed so options are limited. The gnarled nail does provide some protection so I would be reluctant to have it pulled altogether. The best solution I have found is to use a Dremel tool and a grinding head to carefully grind it down to a relative inoffensive button. This grinding also tends to remove most of the discoloration. It stinks and needs to be done carefully so you do not abrade your skin. If done carefully you are left with a relatively, inoffensive flat white little button.
To clarify the grinding process of the nails is what stinks it smells like burning bone while being ground away the nail itself does not smell.
Dremel Tool is the cool way… Another vote for them.
Actually there’s a specific tool made for the job. Look up “electric nail drill 110v” on EBay or Amazon. Of course change the voltage if it’s not correct for where you live. Expect to pay about $7.
I’ve had toe nail fungus issues for most of my life. Gnarly looking, discolored nails that would often get ingrown and lumpy. I’d cut them out with clippers and bleed quite a bit. I bought one of the nail drills a few months ago and it’s great! Just don’t go nuts and take off too much nail or hit the skin too much.
Did your doctor do anything to analyze your stride? Toenail problems are sometimes caused by rubbing against the shoe, which can arise from abnormalities in one’s walking or running gait.