Ingrown toenail, AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT absent: phenolization

Interventions to get rid of an ingrown toenail is often painful and disabling. A very interesting alternative technique has been developed in the United States many years ago: the phenolization. What is she? Why is it so little done? We interviewed Dr. Philippe Abimelec *, dermatologist and nail specialist.

What is this technique phenolization?

If ingrown toenail, three types of interventions can be made. The most traditional is to surgically remove a neighborhood nail and flesh. This technique often involves postoperative pain and generally involves a work stoppage of one to three weeks.The destruction of the root of the nail laser is more interesting because the suites are simpler. However, it requires an incision with a scalpel and a suture which means, too, pain. (Read on e-health: "How do we cure the ingrown nail?") The third possibility is based on phenol. It has large interests in relation to the other two solutions. Indeed, this procedure is painless, there is virtually no post-operative and it usually requires no work stoppage. The phenolization is performed under local anesthesia by a dermatologist, who cut the tongue of ingrown toenail, and then applies an acid that "cauterize" the root and prevents the recurrence of the Incarnation. Phenol or carbolic acid is an alcohol that comes from coal. It is antiseptic and destroys tissue in high concentrations. Phenol is also used for peels that allow a correction of wrinkles. The phenolization is a minor operation can be performed by the dermatologist in his medical practice. After local anesthesia performed, the procedure is painless. The common painkillers can uneventful. Of course, it will be difficult to play sports or engage in long walks for 2 to 3 weeks, but a person who practices a profession sedentary office work type, can immediately resume its activities without a work stoppage.

Are there any cons to phenol-indications?
The circulation disorders of the lower-cons are the only indication they are severe. But in case of severe circulatory disturbance, any action of the toes and fingers should be done with extreme caution. The risk of recurrence is about 3%, as with other techniques. It must be recognized that this technique is rarely practiced and it is difficult to find a practitioner who makes it, it may be its main disadvantage. In practice, people who want to benefit from this technique should consult with their dermatologist to be directed. * Dr. Philippe Abimelec is a dermatologist, a former attached to the Saint-Louis Hospital, Medicine and surgery of the skin, nails and hair, and a member of the French Society of Dermatology.

Sources: Science Advisor: Dr. Philippe Abimelec, a dermatologist in Paris. Sources and to learn more: Fact sheets on diseases of the nails (ingrown toenail, treatment of ingrown toenail, fungal nail infection), hair (hair loss and hair transplant, alopecia), theaesthetics (hair removal laser treatment of wrinkles), laser treatment (treatment of redness, treatment of wrinkles, treatment of brown spots) and skin diseases (acne, treatment of acne scars, skin cancer, hyperhidrosis).