INGROWING TOENAILS

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge or corner of the nail grows down and cuts into the skin, leading to the toe becoming: painful when walking, red, swollen, tender and possibly infected if left untreated. The big toe is most commonly affected, either on one or both sides.

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At The Chiropody Clinic, our team of expert podiatrists are happy to discuss which course of treatment will be most effective for you, including:

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Conservative Treatment

• No use of local anaesthetic

• Regular treatment of the affected toenail(s) using specialist podiatry equipment

• Can be painful, time-consuming and expensive to keep the toe/s comfortable

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Local Anaesthetic Treatment

• Injection of local anaesthetic into the affected toe (some patients state that it feels like a sharp scratch)

• The podiatrist will be able to remove any nail spike once local anaesthetic has been injected; you will be able to feel pressure but no pain

• Not guaranteed to prevent recurrence of the ingrown toenail

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Nail Surgery

• Partial or total nail avulsion (removal) using local anaesthetic

• Once the nail is removed, phenol is applied to prevent nail regrowth

• All nail surgery appointments are up to 1 hour and it is advisable to bring someone with you to help you get home. Healing time is typically 6 to 8 weeks, which will depend on: how well the wound is maintained, activity level post nail surgery and compliance with post nail surgery advice