# Do you think I need to go to the doctor for this ingrown toenail? (with picture) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890 "2021-11-24T17:54:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/41 "2021-11-27T00:21:57Z")
My dad had really bad issues with toenail fungus back when the only treatment was griseofulvin, which can take months to work and can have unpleasant side effects. His doctor gave him the option of having the affected toenails removed, which he did, and now he sort of looks like he’s partially declawed. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/42 "2021-11-27T01:03:09Z")
I would like to have all my toenails permanently removed. I have nothing but trouble with them. I wish the last time I had them removed, the podiatrist suggested removing them permanently. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/43 "2021-11-27T18:22:32Z")
Have you tried the warm salt water soak? Because you don’t need wait on a dr or nurse to do so, and you will see some relief very likely. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/44 "2021-11-27T22:18:33Z")
I soaked in some epsom salts. It’s not hurting as much but it also isn’t looking any better. No worse, which is good, but no better. I’ve also been taking my temperature every day (I actually am required to do so for work) and it’s normal. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/45 "2021-11-27T23:03:17Z")
> The major difference between Epsom salt and sea salt is that **Epsom salt is not actually salt**. Don’t let the ‘salt’ in its name deceive you. Epsom salt is, in fact, a mineral found in water containing magnesium and sulfate at high levels. > > [Cite](https://koyuncusalt.com/en/salt-library/what-is-the-difference-between-epsom-salt-and-sea-salt) Suggest you do a _saline_ soak with _salt_. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/46 "2021-11-29T18:17:36Z")
I hope you will report after your doctor visit today. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/47 "2021-11-29T18:39:28Z")
Antibiotics, soak it in warm salt water and a referral to a podiatrist. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/48 "2021-11-29T18:52:44Z")
Great! How soon can you get in to the podiatrist? ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/49 "2021-11-30T02:44:54Z")
The office will call me in a few days. After soaking it tonight I managed to pick off the big scab underneath the front of the nail and a large blob of yellow pus came out. Gross. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/50 "2021-11-30T05:22:50Z")
That thing will definitely heal faster with all that yucky pus out of there. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/51 "2021-11-30T14:10:29Z")
Wait?! They didn’t treat it then and there? Sounds like my experience in college where I had to go to urgent care because my ingrown toenail got really bad over the weekend. It cost me $150 for them to look at it and tell me it was infected. That was all I got for my money. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/52 "2021-11-30T15:23:51Z")
I really don’t think a GP’s office or an ER has the tools or skills to properly remove an ingrown toenail. I could be wrong. I had an ingrown toenail removed and it was more than just nail clippers involved. The OP needed antibiotics, and someone to check that the infection wasn’t out of control. That’s what they got from the GP, now on to the toe surgeon. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/53 "2021-11-30T15:29:05Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I really don’t think a GP’s office I’ve had one removed at a GP’s. In fact a few times. And honestly, if an ER can’t fix an ingrown toenail then what the hell kind of surgery can they do? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/54 "2021-11-30T15:34:23Z")
Well then consider me wrong. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/55 "2021-11-30T15:34:37Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > honestly, if an ER can’t fix an ingrown toenail then what the hell kind of surgery can they do? I think it is more that the ER cannot bill enough for the procedure to justify the time spent. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/56 "2021-11-30T15:35:25Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > And honestly, if an ER can’t fix an ingrown toenail then what the hell kind of surgery can they do? Generally speaking, they don’t: [https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/Do-Emergency-Medicine-Physicians-Perform-Surgery](https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/Do-Emergency-Medicine-Physicians-Perform-Surgery) > While emergency medicine physicians do not perform surgery, they do perform some procedures that require making incisions in the body in an emergency situation, such as inserting chest tubes and performing thoracotomies. Emergency medicine physicians also put in central lines and intubate patients when necessary. Other duties and responsibilities of an emergency medicine physician include life-saving care such as resuscitation and stabilization. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/57 "2021-11-30T15:44:48Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Generally speaking, they don’t: So if I get stabbed or shot or cut in half in a car accident, an ER won’t fix it? Or rather **can’t** try to fix it? And I don’t think anyone would go to an ER but rather urgent care during off-hours. And yes urgent care can and will do it. I had a ton of ingrown toenails in college. Hell, I had one fixed at my college health clinic so it does not have to be a specialist. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had a podiatrist fix my ingrown toenail. And it’s not like fixing an ingrown toenail like the OP’s is real surgery. it involves A syringe full of a local anesthetic (xylocaine, lidocaine, etc.). A cutting device to perform the partial nail avulsion. A prescription for antibiotics. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/58 "2021-11-30T15:47:11Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > So if I get stabbed or shot or cut in half in a car accident, an ER won’t fix it? Or rather **can’t** try to fix it? If you’re interested, this may give you a little better visibility into how it works: > **[Trauma Surgeons vs ER Doctors | UCLA Med School | UCLA Medical School](https://medschool.ucla.edu/blog-post/trauma-surgeons-vs-er-doctors-what-is-the-difference?id=1158&action=detail&ref=937)** > > Wondering what the difference is between trauma surgeons and ER doctors? How and when do they work together? Dr. Brant Putnam explains. ETA: Generally, BTW, ER docs send surgical cases to Surgery, where Surgeons and Surgical teams take care of them. (I’m married to a former ER Nurse. Many of our friends are/were ER docs) ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/59 "2021-11-30T15:47:42Z")
Years ago, I had trouble with ingrown toenail on my right foot. Did the soaking in Providone and water , which helped, but it eventually got so bad that I went to a podiatrist. They had a chair, like a barber’s chair. Soaked my foot in more Providone then said they were going to cut it out. They proceeded to numb the toe with a local anesthetic. Those shot hurt! I mean really hurt (more than walking on my sore toe). Waited 20 minutes and cut the offending part out and cleaned the toe. It took longer to give me the shots. It worked, like a charm. The next day I was walking like it never happened. Same story, different verse. A few years later, same thing happened. I went to the same Dr. and they asked me if I wanted the anesthetic. Said it would only take 10 to 20 seconds to cut it out. Remembering the pain of the shots, said that I’d just grit my teeth for 20 seconds, but to be quick. The most intense pain I have ever felt in my life emanated from my toe. I screamed, everything went black. The next thing I knew, they had fully reclined the chair, a cold compress was on my forehead, and the assistant was patting my hand. I had passed out from pain. They said that they were going to go ahead and numb the toe. I asked why they didn’t just do that while I was passed out? The moral of the story… Just take the damn shot. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890/60 "2021-11-30T15:48:08Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Generally speaking, they don’t: But there’s a difference between an “ER performing surgery” and an “emergency medicine physician” performing surgery. I mean, an ER can’t literally perform surgery ( it’s a room or a department) so obviously what is meant is by " if an ER can’t fix an ingrown toenail then what the hell kind of surgery can they do?" is something more like " if you can’t get your ingrown toenail fixed by going to the ER, how can you get an appendectomy by showing up at the ER" [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-i-need-to-go-to-the-doctor-for-this-ingrown-toenail-with-picture/954890.md?page=4)