Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the corner or edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin. This can lead to pain, inflammation, swelling and infection, if left untreated.
Causes:
- Toenail injury/trauma
- Footwear that places pressure on the big toes, including tight socks and stockings
- Cutting toenails incorrectly, too short, or not straight across
- Irregular, curved toenails
- Wide nails
- Nail infections
- Sweaty feet
Signs & Symptoms:
- Tender, swollen, or hard skin next to the nail
- Pain when pressure is applied
- Inflamed skin
- Bleeding or pus
- Swelling
- Infection
Prevention:
- Trim toenails straight across and make sure the edges do not curve in
- Keep toenails at a moderate length
- Wear proper fitting shoes that do not touch the toenails
- Regular Podiatry treatments
- Top sleeves or padding
- Taping
- Referral for surgery
Treatment:
The early identification and treatment of ingrown toenails is key in this situation.
Your podiatrist will gently remove the portion of the nail pressing into the skin and, if needed, trim away any surrounding callus. This treatment is effective for most cases of ingrown toenails. For those experiencing recurrent ingrown toenails, infection or persistent pain, nail surgery may be recommended. This procedure involves the permanent removal of part or all of the nail and is performed under local anaesthetic in the comfort of our clinic.
