Ingrown toenails can cause overwhelming symptoms or expose you to more health risks, especially if you have diabetes, nerve damage, or a weakened immune system. In such situations, removal is the most favorable course of action. Ingrown toenail Bakersfield surgery is a quick outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. After healing, you will spot a normal-looking nail without the pain and other symptoms. The recovery period is short, averaging a few weeks, a period you need to be careful to facilitate better progress. Among the post-surgery wound care tips to adopt includes:
Antibiotic application
Antibiotic ointment is typically applied immediately after ingrown toenail removal. Besides the soothing effect, antibiotic is crucial in infection prevention. While the skin cut is minor, it leaves enough room for infection if not well protected. This is more so if you have diabetes, which slows wound healing. Your doctor will tell you how often you should apply the antibiotic ointment, basically twice daily until the wound heals. You should follow the guideline to help speed up the healing and mitigate infection risks even when you are in no pain or noticing any changes.
Hygiene
You can shower the day after ingrown toenail surgery. You should gently dry the area and apply the antibiotic ointment after the shower. You should also avoid soaking the toe, swimming, or baths. The main point is to keep the area clean and dry for at least 14 days after surgery. The hygiene measures apply to the bandage too. The bandage pads and protects the wound. It also helps drain the wound, meaning it can get soaked. You should watch it and change the bandage if you notice it is soaked with blood or fluids. You should ensure the wound remains bandaged for the recommended period, ideally a week. Keeping the area clean and dry minimizes infection since you keep germs at bay and improve recovery.
Pain management
Ingrown toenail removal does not result in serious post-surgery pain. Nonetheless, you can experience some pain that should not be ignored. Unmanaged pain slows healing. You can take pain medication like ibuprofen. If you are on other active prescription(s), talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter pain medication. This ensures you avoid reactions that could worsen the situation since some medications may interact adversely.
Footwear
Your footwear old be the main reason you developed ingrown toenails in the first place. After surgery, you should avoid tight-fitting footwear and stick with sneakers or loose shoes. It is also recommendable that you avoid tight-fitting or high-heeled shoes even after recovery to avoid the extra pressure. Besides the footwear, you should also avoid strenuous activities for at least two weeks following ingrown toenail removal.
Ingrown toenail surgery is safe and effective but not foolproof. You could develop an infection even with practical wound care. As such, you should monitor it, especially in the first few weeks, and contact your doctor if you experience increased pain, drainage, swelling, redness, or other worrying concerns. Visit Diabetic Foot and Wound Center today for more information on ingrown toenail removal and post-surgery care.
