Skin Numbing Cream/gel

[meglet]

Can anyone please advise the strongest skin numbing cream or gel I can get over the counter?

Thanks.

[Sqad]

I don't understand the question.

"Numbing?"....do you mean to anesthetise the skin or do you mean an analgesic (Pain reliever) which is administered via the skin?

[meglet]

Well both really Sqad. I have an ingrowing toenail on each big toe. One isn't too bad but the other is infected. I have an appt at the chiropodist on Monday to see about cutting it out and I know it's going to hurt like hell. I soaked them in salt water last night on chiropodists advice and got some of the gunk off but it's throbbing worse than ever this morning. I'd like something to numb the skin now and ready for Monday.

[Sqad]

OK......well I am nit sure that numbing the skin is going to ease the pain of your infected toe and my advice would be to rest it over the weekend with your leg supported and take painkillers by mouth e.g ibuprofen 600mgms every 4-6 hours if necessary.

The toenails will be removed, if necessary by a local aneasthetic.

[anneasquith]

ask at your chemist meg, they may suggest a gel/ointment, but pain relief also.

[leahbee]

Meglet, I am so sorry to hear about your foot problem but just to tell
you that I can't help smiling when I see your avatar. What a beautiful picture. Is she yours?

[meglet]

That's what I'm absolutely desperate to avoid tho. I saw the doc who prescribed me amoxicillin for the infection and she told me if it does clear up she will refer me for a removal. She said I would be off my feet for six weeks if they remove both nails. I have 3 month and that would be completely impossible!

Hence I am seeing a chiropodist to try and remove the extra nail. I'm just being a wimp as I know it's going to hurt. Take some ibuprofen before I suppose.

[meglet]

* doesn't clear up

[meglet]

Sorry I have a 3 month old baby. Poxy small phone.

[anneasquith]

poor meg, it may not hurt as much as you think :)

[Eve]

Aww, it's horribly painful isn't it. The relief is worth it though when they get the bit out. Mine kept getting infected and ingrown (they were involuted too) and I was referred for nail surgery. I had a partial nail avulsion where they removed each side of both big toenails.

The worst part was the stinging when they put the anaesthetic in, after that my toes were completely numb during the procedure.

I've had issues with mine taking longer to hear though I've been on steroids which haven't helped and have issues with my feet anyway. I had them done two months ago today and only had the day off work after the procedure. I went for the sides being removed rather than the whole nails.

I got discharged from post surgery checks yesterday and they think I only need another two weeks of dressing them (just simple Cosmopor E dressings like a larger plaster) after the bulkier dressing they put on right after it's done (I had to go back the next day to have that changed).

They are tender for a while after the surgery but not too bad so long as nothing is pressing on them, I've only been able to wear roomy furry boots which are really soft and don't press on my toes while they have been healing. It may benefit you being at home a lot as you can go barefoot or wear open toed sandals (not very practical for me at work in the winter :)).

I hope they sort it for you soon.