Ingrown nails and other nail problems are most often treated with medication that helps patients and their nails return to health. In some cases, nail surgery may be required to restore nails to a healthy condition.
If you are suffering from nail problems, from fungal infections to painful ingrown nails, Florida’s Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Windermere is ready to help you.
Nail problems can be painful and leave many people feeling self-conscious about their appearance. At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, Dr. Jeannette Hudgens and our medical team meet with patients one-on-one to review their medical histories and develop the safest and most effective treatment plans for nail health. Contact us today for an appointment.
Why Nail Surgery?
Surgical nail removal is typically performed on patients with severe nail problems that may not have responded to other treatments. Surgery is an option for those with persistent fungal nail infections that return again and again.
Depending on your condition, nail surgery options can include removal of the entire nail, known as an avulsion, or part of the nail, which is called debridement.
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, we can perform surgical nail removal procedures in our offices and patients return home afterward.
What to Expect
Typically, one of our medical staff members will inject your toe or finger with a pain killer to prepare you for the procedure. Skin located around the nail is then loosened. This allows the doctor to separate the nail from your skin.
In most patients with nails that are only partially diseased, only that portion of the nail is removed. Other patients may require an entire nail be removed.
To avoid future infection, some patients may need to have nail matrixes destroyed. This is typically done by applying a chemical around the area of the cuticle once the nail plate is taken off. Antibiotic ointments are used on the wound, which will then be covered with tape and gauze for protection.
Post-Surgery
Because each patient is different, we will provide you with customized post-surgery instructions to promote fast and effective healing.
For most patients, this means cleaning and drying the wound regularly and applying an antibiotic ointment. Most nail surgery wounds heal within several weeks.
While every recovery is different, most fingernails take about six months to grow back. Toenails can take a year to 18 months to fully grow back.
Why Surgery?
Surgical nail removal is most often used in severe cases. This typically includes when a large area of the nail is consumed with disease or infection.
Surgery also is an option for patients with painful nail conditions that negatively impact their everyday lives.
Risks
- As with any surgical procedure, nail surgery does carry some risks. These include:
- Pain.
- Infection.
- Abnormal nail growth. In some cases, patients may see nails return with an abnormal appearance or shape.
Surgical nail removal’s benefits include making it easier to apply antifungal medication directly to the problem area. This increases the chances of curing nail infections for good.
If your nails are painful, infected or ingrown, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hudgens and start down the road to better nail health.