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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYour family doctor or a foot doctor (podiatrist) can diagnose an ingrown toenail. Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it can help to be well prepared. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For an ingrown toenail, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- Is my condition temporary or chronic?
- What are my treatment options and the pros and cons for each?
- What results can I expect?
- Can I wait to see if the condition goes away on its own?
- What nail-care routines do you recommend while the condition heals?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- What at-home treatments have you used?
- Do you have diabetes or any circulation impairment to your lower extremities?
- Richardson EG. Disorders of nails and skin. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115837490-3/0/1584/638.html?tocnode=55690799&fromURL=638.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50087-8_4366. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
- Goldstein BG, et al. Paronychia, herpetic whitlow and ingrown toenails. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- Zuber TJ. Ingrown toenail removal. American Family Physician. 2002;65:2547.
- Foot care. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/foot-care.jsp. Accessed Jan 7, 2009.
- Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_feet/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 7. 2009.
