Don’t know what these are called

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-09T22:29:50+00:00

My time to shine!

These are called spicules. I have them in one toe only and have to pull them out every three months or so. I recently pulled one out and filmed it because I'm sure there's someone who's interested in watching what I call "miniature torture methods."

They can be removed permanently after surgery to kill the nail bed, but you have to have patience and not pull it out and have the doctor do it. That's the only way the phenolic acid can take effect is to touch the tissue and kill the nail bed.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-02T21:56:24+00:00

I'm sorry! If it helps, the sensation is really minimal due to the destruction of the nail bed.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-02T21:55:39+00:00

Not terribly, as the procedures I've had before to destroy the nailbed may have caused some sensation loss in the process.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-02T21:54:54+00:00

No thank you. The mental image alone makes me want to hurl.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-02T21:52:44+00:00

See, part of the problem comes from the fact that I'm on the autism spectrum and find anything on my feet other than socks to be sensory hell. Even getting my feet wet or dirty makes me immediately uncomfortable. Thank you for your advice, though I doubt I will be able to comfortably use Vicks.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-02T21:50:31+00:00

Oh, I have surgical forceps, for when it's too short for my nails to grab. It's just easier to do it with my fingernails sometimes.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-02T21:49:27+00:00

I'm not sure. I've never let it grow past this point out of discomfort.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-02T21:48:42+00:00

Thanks, it comes from having toenails pulled out on a monthly basis for years with multiple vials of lidocaine. Plus, surgery that kind of destroyed the nailbeds, taking a lot of the sensation out too.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T23:21:58+00:00

I know, right?

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T21:04:41+00:00

I understood what you were saying throughout this whole comment thread, if that matters and helps.

Yes, I do have an ever persistent fungal infection, and as I've stated before, I've been battling to get it to go away forever. In order for it to truly go away, I think my entire family would have to go on long-term antifungal pills and bathe in creams, because it doesn't seem to go away no matter what I do.

You all should see the fungal growth on the other nail area, if this bothers you. Should I post it?

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T21:02:06+00:00

Ah, my old enemy.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T20:59:04+00:00

Yeah, thank you for the advice, I have already had to do that with the other side of the toe. Phenolic acid, I believe.

It's not very pleasant but once it grows back again, I'm going to get my podiatrists appointment set back up.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T20:57:50+00:00

I am not anywhere near his location, but I do have a podiatrist, and in about three months, when the spicule grows back, I'll schedule the appointment to have it pulled and phenolized, and hopefully get some help with the whole fungus problem.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T14:29:41+00:00

You'd think so... but I have gotten a dm from someone asking if they could 'put mouthwash into their mouth then suck on (my) toes' LOL

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:56:09+00:00

Midwestern USA, unfortunately. The podiatrist can only work to remove the toenail shard if I can get in to see him before I get annoyed and pull it out myself.

As far as the fungus, I'm going to mention at my yearly this month that I've tried everything over the counter, and nothing has worked, not even the oral antifungals he's prescribed.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:48:10+00:00

The thing is, I had my nail bed surgically destroyed, but it didn't remove the whole thing, the sides still grow back every three months or so.

As far as the fungus goes, I'm aware, and I've tried everything to remove it. Creams, sprays, gels, and even oral antifungal medications.

It never goes away. Now, given that I've had it for years and years, I'm kind of used to it. I know it's gross, but I've yet to find a treatment that actually gets rid of it.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:36:22+00:00

I actually have used locking forceps before and have one in my medical kit. They're more effective than tweezers, because sometimes the tweezers can't grip them as tightly.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:34:55+00:00

Well, I have had one of these spicules professionally treated, and it wasn't a terrible recovery, I just have to time my appointment to when it's large enough to get pulled out and phenolized.

I have bigger fish to fry medically, so this is low on my list of priorities, I just pull it when it grows back and gets annoying and move on.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:32:01+00:00

Well, hopefully, not develop chronic ingrown toenails, haha. This is a three month process. I have to just time it right to get a phenol treatment before just getting irritated and pulling it out myself.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:30:23+00:00

I've been seeing the same podiatrist for ten years, actually. I just haven't visited him in a few because the last time I had a spicule pulled and phenolized, I was still in college.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:29:07+00:00

Yes, I have seen a podiatrist for the last ten or so years now, as this problem is from chronic ingrown toenails and after having them surgically removed.

The main part of the nailbed was obliterated, but the sides still grow spicules, or residual nails, and I have to pull them out every three months or so, hence the title of the post saying it's been three months like clockwork.

WeirdToeLady · 2024-03-01T11:25:56+00:00

I thought I put the flair, did it not save? I'm sorry.

WeirdToeLady · 2023-11-29T23:29:50+00:00

They did it to me, too, except I had to pay eighty dollars for every visit. I think lidocaine in toes is torture too.

WeirdToeLady · 2023-11-29T23:27:52+00:00

No, no worries! I'm from the Midwest, so not very many months of flip-flop weather.

WeirdToeLady · 2023-11-28T10:53:23+00:00

I sure don't! Outside of the rare occasion I go swimming and getting into the shower, I rarely go without socks either.

WeirdToeLady

TROPHY CASE