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Home care following toe nail procedures
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Avoid excessive walking today. A small amount of bleeding through the bandage is normal. If the bandage is soaked, remove the bandage and begin soaking the toe as described in #2.
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Start soaking your toe on the day after the procedure. You may remove your bandage(s) and take a shower/bath as you normally do. Then after your shower soak in an Epsom salt mixture (warm water).
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If the bandage is sticking to the toe, you can soak the foot before the bandage is off and then gently peel of the bandage.
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Soak for 10 minutes/twice-a-day for the first week, then once a day for the second week.
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After each soaking, apply any over-the-counter antibiotic ointment/cream (i.e.: Neosporin) very sparingly and cover with a gauze pad (2X2) or a Band-Aid. Gauze is better because it breathes better than a Band-Aid.
**Please note that if you had chemical application to “kill” the root of the nail to prevent nail growth, then you will have redness, minor drainage, and sometimes minor blistering of the nail fold. This is normal and is expected. Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns about the way things are healing.
General Post-Op Instructions
- Avoid excessive activity. Weight bearing per instructions.
- It is best to elevate your foot above the level of your heart.
- Apply ice to the foot near the ankle for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes. Repeat as necessary.
- Take your prescription medications as directed.
- Keep your bandage clean and dry. Do not remove your bandage or get it wet.
- Remember that as soon as the local anesthesia (numbing medicine) wears off, your foot will start to hurt. Begin taking your pain pills as soon as you feel your foot waking up. Try to have some food in your stomach when taking pain medication. Take a laxative if you get constipated from pain medication.
- If you are experiencing significant pain (throbbing), make sure your foot is elevated and kept cool with an ice pack.
- Call the office if you are having any of the following problems: fever, excessive bleeding through your bandage, increased pain that his not managed with pain medication, or problems with your medications (such as rash, itching, etc).
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