Yes, it is possible to permanently remove toenails. This surgical procedure is called a partial or complete nail avulsion, and it is often done by a doctor when toenails are severely damaged due to an infection, trauma, or other medical conditions.
During this procedure, the doctor will make an incision in the toenail and cut away the affected area or section. In some cases, the entire toenail or nail bed will be removed. After surgery, the nail area can take anywhere from weeks to months to fully heal.
It is important to take proper care of the area during this time to avoid possible infections. Additionally, it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe antibiotics if an infection does arise. If all or part of the toenail is removed, it is not likely for the toenail to grow back.
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What happens if you get your toenail permanently removed?
If you decide to permanently remove your toenail, the process is known as a partial or total surgical or chemical obliteration. The procedure will involve either surgically removing a portion of your toenail or disolving it with a chemical called urea paste.
In either case, your doctor will inject a local anesthetic around the affected area to experience minimal pain.
During the procedure, your doctor will cut a portion of the toenail or separate the nail bed from the nail plate, leaving the nail bed intact to provide better healing. After removing the nail or dissolving it, your doctor may need to debride (cut away) the damaged areas of the nail bed.
This is done to stimulate healthy new nail growth.
Once the procedure is complete, your doctor will cleanse and dress the area to promote healing. You will then be instructed to keep the area clean and to wear an open-toed shoe to protect the nail bed from further damage.
It typically takes one to three weeks for the new nail to grow out. During this time, some redness, swelling, and tenderness in the toe are normal. While the nail grows back, wearing loose fitting shoes and socks can help reduce discomfort.
If the discomfort or redness persists, you should contact your doctor.
Ultimately, permanently removing your toenail can provide relief and improve the appearance of your nail bed. It is important, however, to undergo the procedure under the care of a professional. Your doctor can advise you on the best type of treatment based on the condition of your toenail and provide you with post-operative care instructions.
Can you live without toenails?
Yes, you can live without toenails. Toenails protect our toes from injury, so if they become damaged or diseased, it may be necessary to have them surgically removed. After toenails are removed, the area may be covered with a bandage until the toe is healed.
If a toenail is lost due to an injury, the toenail will usually grow back within 6-12 months. In rare cases, people may be born without toenails due to congenital abnormalities, so in these cases, it is possible to live without toenails.
In any case, if you do not have toenails, it is important to wear shoes that have extra cushioning to keep your toes protected. Additionally, it is important to keep your toes clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection.
How much does it cost to have a toenail permanently removed?
The cost of permanently removing a toenail can vary significantly depending on the location of the nail, the amount of anesthesia used, and the size of the toenail. In general, the procedure can cost anywhere between $100 and $1,000.
The average cost of the procedure ranges between $200 and $400, although it can be more depending on the factors mentioned previously. The cost does not include any extra costs for hospital or doctor visits, or for follow-up care.
Additionally, if any complications arise, the cost of treatment could be higher than the original estimate. It is important to consult a medical professional before proceeding with any medical procedures, to ensure that the procedure is safe and to obtain an accurate estimate of the costs associated with the procedure.
How painful is permanent toenail removal?
Permanent toenail removal, or partial or complete permanent toe-nail avulsion, can be a very painful procedure, particularly if the toenail is very large or is impacted. The pain associated with the procedure can range from mild to intense, depending on the extent of the toenail, the size of the toenail, and the method used to remove the toenail.
With partial or complete permanent toe-nail avulsion, an anesthetic will likely be used in order to reduce the patient’s discomfort. However, the actual procedure can still be quite painful with localized swelling, redness and discomfort where the toenail was removed.
After the procedure, pain may persist for a few days to weeks. Pain medications and/or antibiotics may be given to help reduce swelling and discomfort. Patients are advised to keep their feet elevated until the pain and swelling subsides and to take care in order to properly care for their wound.
Most patients report significant pain reduction several days after the procedure with full healing typically taking place for up to 10 weeks.
How can I protect my toes without a toenail?
Wearing properly fitted shoes and socks is the best way to protect your toes without a toenail. Shoes with a wide toe box are ideal since they provide enough space for the toes to spread out. Additionally, shoes with reinforced toes can help provide additional support and protection.
It is also important to avoid open-toed shoes to keep dirt and debris from irritating the exposed skin on the toes.
Furthermore, wearing supportive and cushioned socks can help absorb shocks from daily activities and keep your toes safe. Additionally, wool socks are beneficial for providing extra warmth. Also, ensure that your shoes fit properly and that you replace them every 3 to 6 months or as needed for extra protection.
Finally, you should also regularly inspect the skin around your toes for signs of irritation or breaks in the skin and get help from a foot specialist if you experience any abnormal pain or discomfort.
Does removing toenail get rid of fungus?
Removing a toenail does not always get rid of the fungus. Toenail fungus is typically caused by a dermatophyte fungi which can live in the dead tissue of the nail. Although nail removal is the most common treatment for toenail fungus, it may not always be effective.
The fungus can still remain in the nail bed unless the technical treatments are applied or the nail bed is kept clean with medicated shampoos and antifungal ointments. Also, if the infection is not taken care of before removing the nail, the same toenail could become re-infected if fungus is present in the nail matrix or surrounding skin.
For these reasons, it is important to consult a doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment before attempting to remove the toenail.
What happens when you don’t have a toenail?
When someone is missing a toenail, the most common cause is due to a fungal or bacterial infection. Without the toenail, the toe is at risk of being exposed to extreme temperatures, trauma, and irritants such as dirt, sand, and debris.
People without toenails are also more prone to developing ingrown toenails, which can cause pain and discomfort. The person’s foot may also be at risk of infection if the toenail bed or surrounding skin has a break in the epidermis.
To reduce the risk of infection and pain, it is important to keep the toenail bed clean and dry, and protect it with a sterile bandage as much as possible. In some cases, a toenail can be treated with an antifungal or antibiotic cream to promote healing and limit the risk of infection.
In serious cases, the toenail may need to be surgically removed. Depending on the individual’s foot health, after the toenail is removed, an artificial toenail may be recommended to be added in order to further protect the toe.
Are toenails necessary?
Yes, toenails are necessary and serve an important purpose. Toenails help protect our toes from bumps, abrasions and other trauma. They also act as a barrier to keep dirt and other foreign objects from entering between our toes, which could cause infection.
Additionally, toenails assist with gripping surfaces and help support our feet when we stand and walk. For these reasons and more, toenails are an important and necessary part of our feet.
What are the complications of toenail removal?
Removing a toenail can be a painful experience due to the fact that a large amount of pressure is placed on the toe when removing the nail. This can cause bruising, swelling, and even minor breaks to the adjacent toe bone.
In some cases, patients may require surgery to address these complications. Additionally, there is a risk of infection due to the open wound created. If the area is not kept clean and properly cared for, an infection may develop.
This may manifest as redness, pain, swelling, a foul odor, and even pus. In extreme cases, a serious bacterial infection may develop, potentially endangering the patient’s life. For this reason, it is important to monitor the toe closely in the days and weeks following toe nail removal.
If any sign of infection is present, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
How long does the pain last after toenail removal?
Pain after toenail removal typically lasts one to two weeks, though some people may experience more or less depending on the individual healing process. In most cases, after the initial healing process, the toe will feel numb and will no longer be painful.
However, during the healing period, the toe may be sore, tender and swollen and care should be taken to rest and reduce activities to ensure proper recovery. If the pain doesn’t improve or continues longer than expected, it is important to consult a doctor to rule out infection or other concerns.
It is also important to note that the nail may take up to eight months to fully regrow after being removed.
Does it hurt to walk after toenail removal?
Yes, it can hurt to walk after toenail removal. The amount of pain that is experienced will vary depending on the individual, level of pain tolerance and the severity of the procedure. Generally speaking, people may experience some level of discomfort, tenderness, swelling or throbbing pain in the area.
After the procedure it is recommended to keep the feet elevated and to apply ice to the area to help reduce swelling and decrease pain. Wearing loose fitting shoes and limiting physical activities can also help to reduce discomfort while the area heals.
If the pain persists or gets increasingly worse, it is advised to seek professional medical advice.
Will I need time off work after toenail removal?
It depends on the type of toenail removal you are having. For partial toenail removal, it is likely that you will not require any time away from work as the procedure is a simple in-office procedure that is usually done on an outpatient basis.
Depending on how active your job is, you may be able to return to your job the same day.
For total toenail removal, it is likely that you will need some time away from work. Depending on the procedure, it could take up to two weeks for recovery. During that time, you may need to stay off your foot and keep it covered, rest, and take certain medications to aid the healing process.
Your doctor or podiatrist may also advise you not to put any pressure on the affected toe. Therefore, depending on the type of job you have, it is important to plan ahead and take time off for recovery before or after the procedure.
How long after toe surgery can I shower?
It depends on the type of toe surgery you had. For example, if you had toe joint fusion surgery, it typically takes around 12 weeks for the joint to heal and fully fuse. Most doctors advise against showering until the stitches are removed – usually around 2 weeks after surgery.
During the healing process, you may want to keep the operated toe and the area around it dry and avoid soaking in a bath. After the stitches are removed, you can usually start showering as normal while being careful to avoid getting the operated toe wet.
Additionally, if you have a bandage on the surgery site, make sure to keep it dry. It is recommended to speak with your doctor on their specific recommendations, as it can vary depending on the type of toe surgery you had.
What do you wear after toe surgery?
Following toe surgery, it is important to wear comfortable and supportive footwear to protect your foot and help to ensure optimum recovery. In the first few weeks after your operation, you should stay off your feet as much as possible, wearing a soft boot or properly fitted medical sandal to provide stability and cushioning.
Crocs, flip-flops, and open-toed shoes are not suitable during the recovery period and should be avoided.
Once the foot has healed enough that the stitches have been removed, supportive shoes can be worn. These should offer good cushioning and arch support, as well as extra width to accommodate any temporary swelling.
If your foot is still sensitive, try a style with padding around the heel and forefoot. Wearing a good shoe may help to reduce pain and prevent future problems.
It can be beneficial to use orthotic devices such as insoles or shoepads in the recovered shoe to further provide cushioning and stability. Your doctor may also prescribe special orthopedic shoes such as a stabilizing boot, or for more severe cases a post-operative shoe, both of which provide extra protection, stability, and relief from discomfort.
Finally, compression stockings may be recommended to reduce the risk of swelling and help to keep the foot in an elevated position, even when not in the shoe. For best results, all of the above advice should be followed until the foot has fully healed.
