Need help as the internet was neither helpful nor convincing.

[BigDaddyFin]

Does anyone have a surefire way of removing an ingrown toenail?  I'm tired of having to cut this thing, take a jewel screwdriver a lighter and tweezers to it every six weeks.  Is there something over the counter I can get that will rid me of this forever?  Or a way to just pop the nail out?  Also there seems to be a sticky substance that comes out with it.  I take it this is part of the infection as is the clap of dead skin between. 

Any advice aside from "go to the doctor" would help.

[mecadonzilla]

I'm no paragon of wisdom on this source, but every time I've had ingrown toe nail problems it was because my shoes were too tight around the toe box.  Outside of seeing a doctor, I'd try buying European style shoes (depending on your line of work, of course, as American shoes mostly come pointed towards the end).  Generally, Ecco has less pointed toe boxes and is made to fit people of greater foot width with a round front portion.

This does nothing for your immediate problem, but I thought I'd add my 2 cents.  As a person with a less than popular foot size, I am constantly dealing with shoe issues, and I totally empathize with anyone's feet problems.

[Sunstroke]

I deal with ingrown toenails on the big toes of both feet...always have, and expect I always will. Once every 3-4 months, I file mine down and then clip/tear it out. No infection fluid...just a little blood and a little pain. I cold rinse to clean it out until it stops bleeding, then I disinfect with a spray. They hurt a little for a day or two, then I get 3-4 months of not worrying about it until the next time.

[Spider-Dan]

If it's a chronic problem, I think you can get your nail beds removed.  Hurts for a few months, but they won't grow back.

[BigDaddyFin]

it was because my shoes were too tight around the toe box. 

We actually tried this because I too have an unusual shoe size.  However even with wearing the size larger sneakers for a year it didn't really change much.  I can however appreciate your situation.  My feet are size 11 EEE (read super wide) and New Balance has always been great as far as a cheap shoe that lasts awhile with a wide track.

Stroke, that pretty much puts us in the same boat. 

[mecadonzilla]

I wear a lot of New Balance stuff just because they're so wide.  Sporting size 10 6E shoes at the moment.

Merrell used to be great to wear for the wide of foot, but their manufacturing changed or something, and now I can't even get new Merrells on my feet without intense pain.  My old Merrells still work, though, and are great hiking boots.

Until I figured out the toe box thing, I could hardly walk because of my frequent ingrown toenail issues.  I feel your pain.  Good luck, man.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I deal with ingrown toenails on the big toes of both feet...always have, and expect I always will. Once every 3-4 months, I file mine down and then clip/tear it out. No infection fluid...just a little blood and a little pain. I cold rinse to clean it out until it stops bleeding, then I disinfect with a spray. They hurt a little for a day or two, then I get 3-4 months of not worrying about it until the next time.

I feel your pain....I go through almost this identical routine.

[BigDaddyFin]

I rip it out with the pliers but it doesn't really hurt.  I worry though because when I do so I scrape all this green shit out of there which I'm assuming is mostly dead skin (fine) but I don't want it getting infected.