Treatment of Ingrown Toenail. Keep the affected area dry. Surgery may be
necessary. Surgical treatment is as follows:
(1)
Anesthetize the side and base of the toe
(2)
Make an incision of the nail incurvation without cutting into the epidermal
tissue.
(3) After the incurvation is removed, put a solution of 88 percent carbolic
and phenol acid on the remaining nail. If phenol gets on the surrounding tissue, sponge
off with alcohol.
(4)
Dress the site with Cortisporin ointment and put on a compress for 24
hours.
2-21. VESICLES AND BULLAS (BLISTERS)
Vesicles and bullas are closed, circumscribed, elevated lesions that contain fluid
(serous fluid). A vesicle is a blister that is one centimeter or less in size while a bulla is
a blister that is larger than one centimeter. Friction between a shoe or boot and the skin
causes a blister to form. The size of the blister depends on how much friction is placed
against the foot. Blisters usually develop on the ball of the foot, the back of the heel, or
the tops of the toes. A blister is really a protective device. The formation of a blister
tells the person that footwear is rubbing too much against a particular part of the foot.
a. Signs/Symptoms of Vesicles/ Bullas. Included are the following:
(1)
Pain.
(2)
Redness.
(3)
Swelling.
(4)
Infection if lesions have broken.
b. Treatment of Vesicles/Bullas. Treat as follows:
(1)
Do not open lesions.
(2)
Apply moleskin.
(3)
Use open air treatment.
(4)
Change socks frequently.
(5)
Apply topical antimicrobial medications if the blister is open.
MD0577
2-14