No clinics available
At Medijump, we're making medical easy. You can search, compare, discuss, and book your medical all in one place. We open the door to the best medical providers worldwide, saving you time and energy along the way, and it's all for FREE, no hidden fees, and no price markups guaranteed. So what are you waiting for?
An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, is a condition that occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the skin of the toe. It can result in swelling, pain, and redness. Sometimes, you can take care of ingrown toenails on your own. However, if the pain is spreading or severe, you may need medical treatments. You may also want to promptly seek medical treatments if you have diabetes, a compromised immune system, or poor circulation.
The treatment option for ingrown toenail may include lifting the nail, removing some of the nail (partial nail removal), and removing all of the nail and tissue (total nail removal). The type of treatment you will undergo depends on your specific condition.
Lifting the nail
If your problem is mild, meaning the nail is only slightly ingrown and there is no pus, your doctor may be able to carefully lift the edge of the ingrown nail and place a splint, dental floss, or cotton under it. The splint, dental floss, or cotton will set the nail in a new position, separating the nail from the overlying skin and helping it to grow above the skin.
Partial nail removal
Partial nail removal may be needed for a more severe ingrown toenail. This means that there’s redness, pain, and pus.
During partial nail removal, your doctor will cut away the sides of the nail so that the edges are completely straight. Then, a piece of cotton or a splint is placed under the remaining portion of the nail in order to stop the ingrown toenail from recurring. In some cases, your doctor may also use a compound called phenol to treat your toe. Phenol can keep the nail from growing back.
Total nail removal
If you experience ingrown toenails repeatedly on the same toe or if your ingrown toenail is caused by thickening, your doctor may remove your whole nail along with the underlying tissue (nail bed).
To start the procedure, your doctor will loosen the skin around and from the nail. Then, the nail is separated from the skin by using a special tool under the nail. Your doctor may use a laser, a chemical, or other methods to remove the nail.
All procedures are performed under local anesthesia, which is injected directly into the toe. With local anesthesia, you will be awake but your toe will be numbed, so you will not feel anything throughout the procedure.
You are allowed to leave the hospital on the same day of your ingrown toenail treatment. However, it is recommended that you stay in Bulgaria for a few days following the surgery, at least 3 days, to let your toenail to recover before you travel home. It may be uncomfortable for you to travel long distances during your initial recovery time.
Recovery can be different for everyone. On average, it takes about four to six weeks to heal after partial nail removal and around 10 to 12 weeks after total nail removal. During the recovery time, you should be able to walk and carry on your life as normal after 3 days of rest. However, you need to avoid strenuous activities, including running and jumping for 2 weeks. It is also advisable that you avoid taking part in sports activities and dancing until you have fully healed.
Your doctor will give you specific aftercare instructions, which may include:
If your doctor gives you pain reliever make sure to take it as directed. Your doctor may also give you oral or topical Medication (antibiotics) which helps get rid of the infection.
Keep your foot raised for a day or two to allow your toe to heal properly.
Wear special footwear for the first few days. Then, you can slowly start wearing sandals or open-toed shoes until the area feels better.
Avoid picking at the wound.
Keep the wound clean and dry, except when cleaning the area or showering.
Soak your toenails with salt water daily.
Ingrown toenail treatment is a safe procedure. According to the National Health Services (NHS), partial nail removal is 98% effective in preventing future ingrown toenails. It is important, however, to remember that every type of surgery carries some possible risks, such as toenail deformity, infection, and anesthesia complications. Serious complications are typically rare and untreated ingrown toenails carry a much higher risk of complications.
If your ingrown toenail is not infected, you should be able to treat it with home remedies, such as keeping your feet dry, soaking your feet in warm water, using a wedge to lift your nail and apply antibiotic creams. However, if your ingrown toenail is infected, there’s no alternative than to get the medical treatments mentioned above.
Before ingrown toenail treatment, you may experience swelling, tenderness, hardness, redness, bleeding, pain, and pus coming out of your toe. In some cases, the condition can be serious and cause an infection in the bone, leading to foot ulcers and tissue decay at the site. After treatment, all of the painful symptoms you experience before will be relieved and the chance of the condition to complicate will be reduced.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
Enquire Now
Bulgaria has plenty to offer and tourists are going to be very impressed with the country’s mountainous landscapes, beautiful Black Sea beaches, fascinating history, friendly locals, lively nightlife, and affordability. Although the country’s holiday tourism is very much on the radar, it is also actually quite popular with medical tourists, due to its modern medical centers, highly trained medical professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, affordable healthcare, and mineral baths, thousands of medical tourists visit this country each year. Most of the medical tourists come for dental treatment, orthopedic surgery, elective surgery, neurosurgery, as well as health screening.
Bulgaria’s laid-back capital city, Sofia, is truly a must-visit. It is full of museums, Ottoman mosques, communist architecture, chic galleries, Eastern Orthodox churches, amazing restaurants, and upbeat clubs. One of the most popular landmarks in the country is the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, which is an awe-inspiring church built between 1882 and 1912 to honor 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for the independence of Bulgaria during the Russo-Turkish war. If you want to relax on beautiful beaches visit Varna, which is a major tourist destination during the summer. The second-largest, city in Bulgaria is Plovdiv and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Tourists are attracted by the Roman Amphitheatre, Archeological Museum, and Tsar Simeon Central Garden.
Most international tourists will arrive at Sofia Airport, which serves flights to most numerous major cities in Europe and the Middle East. There are several budget airlines that operate flights from this airport, including Ryanair and Wizz Air. Domestic flights are available, but they tend to be expensive. Therefore, to travel from one city to another, trains and buses are the best option. Buses and trains are punctual and affordable. However, if you are in a hurry, you should avoid trains as they can be a little slow. To travel around big cities, taxis are widely available and are really cheap. Just make sure you choose a licensed taxi to avoid being overcharged.
While Bulgaria is not yet a part of the Schengen Area, it has a visa policy that is based on the Schengen system. Therefore, holders of Schengen Visa are allowed to enter the country. Additionally, citizens of 62 countries, including the US, Australia, and the UAE, can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa.
From June to August, Bulgaria experiences summer. The weather can get a bit hot and humid, with an average temperature of 19°C to 21°C. July is the wettest month in the country. Winter, from December to February, is usually freezing. Autumn and Spring bring pleasant weather.