What is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and potentially infection. This common condition often affects the big toe, but can occur on any toe. If left untreated, it can lead to increased discomfort and serious complications, such as abscesses or infections.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails are caused by various factors, including:

• Improper Nail Cutting: Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges can cause them to grow into the skin.
• Tight or Ill-Fitting Footwear: Shoes that are too tight or too narrow can apply pressure to the toes, increasing the risk of ingrown toenails.
• Toe Injury or Trauma: A stubbed toe or other injuries can cause the toenail to grow into the skin.
• Genetics: Some individuals may have naturally curved toenails, making them more susceptible to becoming ingrown.
• Excessive Sweating: Excess moisture around the feet can soften the nail and surrounding skin, increasing the likelihood of ingrowth.

Signs and Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail

Common signs of an ingrown toenail include:

• Pain or tenderness around the toenail
• Swelling and redness at the nail’s edge
• Fluid or pus drainage (if infected)
• Difficulty walking or wearing shoes comfortably

How Our Qualified Podiatrists Can Help with Ingrown Toenails

At Leading Health Podiatry, we are committed to providing expert care for ingrown toenails. Depending on the severity of your condition, we offer various treatment options tailored to your needs:

Conservative Treatment: If the ingrown toenail is caught early, we may start with conservative treatments such as:

• Removing the offending nail: In cases where part of the toenail is causing the ingrowth, we may carefully remove the edge of the nail that is digging into the skin.
• Soaking the foot: To reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Padding around the toe: This helps relieve pressure from shoes and encourages healing.

Surgical Treatment: If the ingrown toenail is severe or recurrent, we may recommend a minor surgical procedure, performed under local anaesthetic, to remove the ingrown portion of the toenail. This procedure includes:

Step-by-Step Ingrown Toenail Surgery

Step 1: Local Anesthetic
We begin by numbing the toe with a local anesthetic, ensuring you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. For those who have a fear of needles, we offer a needleless injection   alternative (Comfort in injector), allowing for a painless and stress-free experience.

Step 2: Removal of the Ingrown Toenail
Next, we carefully remove the portion of the toenail that is growing into the skin. This step alleviates pain and reduces swelling, allowing the toe to heal.

Step 3: Chemical Treatment
To prevent the ingrown toenail from regrowing, we apply a chemical or acid to the affected area. This process effectively stops the nail from growing back into the skin and reduces the risk of recurrence.

Step 4: Dressing and Follow-Up Care
After the procedure, we apply a dressing to protect the toe and promote healing. We also schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor recovery and ensure proper healing.

Quick, In-Office Procedure: The entire procedure takes about 1 hour and is performed in the comfort of our office at Leading Health Podiatry.