A few times every year, we see patients who were under the impression that they could fix their ingrown toenail by doing regular Epsom salt baths. They will have usually tried 3-4 baths over a couple of weeks before they book in to see us because their ingrown toenail hasn’t gone away.
This comes as no surprise to us – while Epsom salts may have many benefits, a cure for ingrown toenails is not one of them. Here’s why.
Epsom Salts: What Are They & Do They Do?
Epsom salts are nothing like your regular salt. It is a natural mineral salt containing sulfate and magnesium. While many people talk about the benefits of Epsom salts, they are really talking about the benefits of magnesium, which is thought to help reduce inflammation, help sports performance and recovery, assist in pain relief and reducing muscle soreness, relieve stress, and other similar benefits.
Interestingly, these are the benefits found in some smaller and larger studies looking at magnesium, often ingested, not soaking in it via salt baths., As Epsom salts contain magnesium, it is thought that they may have some of these beneficial effects too – though this is not proven.
Ingrown Toenails: A Quick Overview
An ingrown toenail is one where part of the toenail itself (often a sharp nail spicule) pierces the skin surrounding the toe and grows into it as the nail naturally grows. They are often extremely painful, making wearing shoes that press against the toe very uncomfortable. They can have a range of causes, from poor nail cutting habits to tight footwear to injury to the nail and more.
For more information about ingrown toenails, click here.
Epsom Salts For Ingrown Toenails
To treat an ingrown toenail successfully, and importantly alleviate the pain, the cause of the problem must be fixed. With the cause being that part of the nail has pierced the skin and is growing into it, it is only by removing this piece of nail that the cut in the skin can heal and close.
Unfortunately, an Epsom salt bath does not remove the nail from within the skin. What it may do is help relieve some pain, but this is only a temporary measure. It won’t be long before walking with a nail still piercing into the toe starts giving you discomfort and pain again. This is why Epsom salts are not a cure for ingrown toenails.
What is a cure for ingrown toenails is a partial nail avulsion.
Permanently Correcting Ingrown Toenails
A partial nail avulsion removes the sharp nail spicule that is embedded in the skin, allowing the skin to heal and your pain to go. It is a professional, safe and effective solution and one of the most common procedures carried out in our clinic.
It is a permanent treatment because as well as removing the small piece of nail, we also destroy the nail-growing cells at the base of the nail, meaning your ingrown toenail on that side will not recur.
The Benefits Of A PNA Include:
- The procedure is done simply in-clinic
- The total appointment time typically doesn’t exceed 60 minutes (with the procedure time typically around 20 minutes)
- The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic so is pain-free
- You do not need to take any additional time off work/school following the procedure and can go home immediately
- You do not need any special boots or braces while the toe heals
- The procedure causes very little post-procedure discomfort, however, painkillers can be taken should discomfort arise
- We dress your toe, provide you with a take-home dressing pack and re-dressing instructions
- We monitor your progress to ensure it is healing well
Recovery time is anywhere from two weeks to two months barring any complications such as infection. We provide you with all the dressings, topical antibacterial solutions and ointments, the post-op shoe and aftercare instructions, all tailored individually to your needs.
Ready To Say Goodbye To Your Ingrown Toenail For Good?
Book your appointment with our experienced podiatrists by calling 09 523 2333 or book online here.
Ever wish you knew someone that has gone through the same procedure as you so you knew what to expect? We absolutely get it – and while ingrown toenail surgeries are common enough these days that you’ll likely know someone that has had it done – it’s also not the type of thing that many go bragging to their friends about. So, we’ve shared the experience for you!
Here’s the low-down on what having an ingrown toenail surgery with the Auckland Ingrown Toenail Clinic is really like, as told retrospectively by one of our patients.
Choosing the Auckland Ingrown Toenail Clinic
I found the ingrown toenail clinic, and hence Perform Podiatry, on Google. They weren’t too far away, they had good reviews, and I liked that the podiatrist I’d be seeing would be very experienced in ingrown toenails. The website also mentioned an all-inclusive price – I know multiple appointments with health professionals can add up quickly, so knowing the full cost was great.
The First Appointment
I decided to see someone about my ingrown toenail because this was my third ingrown in the last 4 or so years. I was over the pain and wanted it fixed by a professional. I called in the afternoon and got an appointment for the next day.
The first part of the appointment was easy. The podiatrist checked my nail and asked a bunch of questions. She told me that I had multiple options, and what each involved. One option was to remove the piece of nail that was causing me pain right there and then. I was told that was good for those who have never had an ingrown nail before, as it may not come back. I knew I needed something permanent so I wouldn’t have to deal with this nail in the future.
One of the other options was a procedure called a partial nail avulsion. It’d be done in under an hour, it was permanent (or they’d re-do it), I’d need minimal time off work, and I met their criteria for the procedure. This was what I’d wanted.
The Procedure
I booked in to have the procedure the next day as it’d be a Friday and I’d have the weekend to take it easy.
When I arrived, the room was already “set up” – very clean and with the equipment ready. The same podiatrist that I saw the day before cleaned my toe with iodine and the worst part of the procedure was done – the anaesthetic. It worked, my toe was numb, and the only thing I felt for the rest of the time was pressure.
They showed me the piece of nail they removed – it was bigger than I thought. It looked like I had cut the nail but missed the part right at the end and just pulled the nail off, leaving a big piece in.
They put a bunch of bandages on my toe to protect it. The whole process was done in about 45-50 minutes. I was given instructions to come back on Monday, NOT get the toe wet in any way, not wear tight shoes, rest the foot and put it on a pillow on the couch, and that if it becomes painful to take some specific painkillers. I did take some Friday night as my toe throbbed after the anaesthetic wore off but didn’t take any more after that. I didn’t do too much on the weekend, and avoided putting on closed shoes as that’d hurt the toe.
The Check
At Monday’s appointment, I got a bag filled with the same dressings they used. They removed my dressings to check how the toe was going (which seemed fine) and taught me how to dress it again. I was told to re-dress it anytime it got wet and every few days for the next week. I was to come back in another week to check that it was healing nicely. I went back to work that week and wore shoes that didn’t press on my toe. I redressed as instructed.
A week later I came back and was told that as everything had closed over nicely, I could change the dressings as the infection risk was minimised. The toe was still a bit pink and I could see the dried blood etc, but it wasn’t painful as long as I didn’t hit it/push against it and I was told it was healing nicely, and to let the podiatrist know if anything changed.
The Result
About 7 or so weeks later the toe was pretty much back to normal. The nail was a little smaller, but not by much and you can’t really tell unless I point it out. The nail edge is just very smooth and straight and doesn’t curl down into the side so much. Am now looking forward to not having any problems with my toenail!
