Removal of a nail damaged by any disease is carried out only when medications, ointments and other solutions to this problem turn out to be ineffective or ineffective. Removing a toenail or fingernail can help avoid more serious consequences. Most often, removal is necessary in three cases.
Some types of mycotic infections cannot be cured with drugs. At the same time, the use of creams and other medicinal products does not give the desired effect. Due to the impact of infection, the affected nail plate changes greatly, completely changes its color, and is destroyed. In the most advanced stages, the nail must be removed surgically or otherwise.
It can also be produced using special ointments and compresses. But it takes a lot of time. During this period, the infection can affect neighboring nails. Thus, the nail is surgically removed when delay is undesirable.
The doctor thoroughly cleans and disinfects the skin under the nail bed after removal. At the same time, it completely removes bacteria - fungal pathogens. At the end of such procedures, a new, healthy nail will form on the nail bed over time.
Selective or complete removal of a natural toenail or fingernail is sometimes necessary when an ingrown nail plate has formed. The first symptom of an ingrown toenail is painful movement, redness and swelling of the pre-nail ridges. If this disease occurs, the plate may need to be removed. This disease can also cause active fungal infection, because the fungus takes root well if it enters the body through wounds. This is why the doctor often recommends removing the nail plate.
Surgery is a short-term procedure, lasting no more than 30 minutes. The specialist administers local anesthesia, removes the injured nail or part of it and bandages the finger. Sometimes additional medical examinations are prescribed by a doctor, as it is necessary to monitor the healing process.
An ingrown new nail must be trimmed in a special way after the new plate has grown in order to prevent the possibility of the nail growing into the skin again, since the likelihood of this phenomenon depends on the nail folds and the characteristics of the nail bed. Thus, the predisposition to the phenomenon does not disappear after removal of the nail.
Laser surgery makes it possible to remove an ingrown, fungal or injured plate in the least traumatic way. A laser microbeam removes the injured area of the natural plate. This eliminates redness and swelling resulting from ingrowth, prevents the spread of fungal infection or inflammation that appears at the site of the hematoma, the site of injury. In this case, healthy skin remains unaffected.
The laser beam has excellent sterilization characteristics. In this regard, it is much more preferable than traditional surgical intervention. Most often, this method is chosen to remove a nail with a fungus, since it allows you to completely eliminate the infection, which sometimes fails with traditional removal and the lesion returns.
However, for both an ingrown nail and a hematoma, this method is also the most preferable, since it almost eliminates the possibility of infection after surgery. Of course, provided that the removed nail is properly cared for.
There is another method of non-surgical removal of the nail plate. In therapeutic activities, nail removal using a keratolytic adhesive plaster is actively used. This type is recommended if it is necessary to remove several nails, as well as in cases where the destruction of the plate is severe and removal by traditional surgery is complicated and the finger can be damaged.
This patch contains salicylic acid or urea as the main active ingredient, with additional antibacterial components and antimycotic components. This adhesive plaster is changed periodically, on average every two days. When using it according to the instructions, you can completely remove the affected nail layer by layer within 10 to 14 days.
You need to prepare the nail for its application using special disposable files. They file the surface of the nail to make it smoother. This allows chemicals to penetrate deeper into the plate, which speeds up the removal process.
Removing a toenail or hand nail using one of the methods listed above is a simple operation for a highly qualified doctor. The operated nail needs careful care, and in addition, this place should not be injured. It is better, if possible, to adhere to a gentle regime.
In order for regeneration to be active and, accordingly, short-term, you need to know how to properly treat a finger after nail removal:
How long it takes for a wound to heal after surgical removal of a nail depends on the characteristics of the body. With proper care, complete restoration of nails will take about three weeks.
If the entire nail has been completely removed, a hard skin may form in the same place. Once it has formed, the period of careful care can be over.
Sometimes complications may occur. If you suspect them, it is important to immediately consult a doctor in order to prevent blood poisoning or other serious consequences. If you experience redness and increased tenderness around the operated area, this may be the first sign that the wound is infected.
If you ignore such changes, you may experience swelling that spreads to the entire finger, fever, and chills. This indicates a serious defeat. An alarming symptom is the release of blood and other contents in the operated area. If you notice such symptoms, you should consult a doctor.