Ingrown Toenail Treatment

An ingrown toenail (or onychocryptosis) is where the side of the toenail cuts into the skin next to the nail. This can become painful as the skin may become inflamed and infected. It is often the big toenail that is affected, though it can occur in other toes. Ingrown toenails can occur at any age but commonly teenagers and young adults present with this problem. There are a number if causes for ingrown toenails, these include; narrow fitting footwear, poor nail cutting technique and a nail with naturally curved edges, rather than flat nail.

The symptoms of an ingrown toenail may include pain, redness, swelling and sometimes pus, if infection is present.

If you have an ingrown toenail then you should arrange an appointment as soon as possible.

Antibiotics are often prescribed to treat an infected ingrown toenail; however, this is often left as non resolving as the cause (ingrown toenail) remains. At KK podiatry, the corner of the nail or nail spike may be initially removed to stop the nail from penetrating the skin. Unless this occurs, the infection is likely to persist.

Often ingrown toenails reoccur. With sound advice from our podiatrist on self treatment it may be possible to prevent this. Regular Podiatry treatment is often required to prevent an ingrown toenail again. If conservative care is difficult minor surgical intervention may be required. Nail surgery is a relatively simple procedure and is a permanent solution.

Nail surgery is a long established and safe procedure that involves the removal of a portion or the entire nail under local anaesthetic. At KK podiatry we recommend the application of a chemical called Phenol to then stop the nail regrowing again and causing reoccurring concerns. This is however optional and will be discussed by your podiatrist during your initial assessment.

Your podiatrist may recommend nail surgery as an option where a nail is causing pain; it is most commonly used for ingrown toenails. This minor procedure is suitable for most people, special considerations will be taken when assessing for nail surgery on someone diagnosed with Diabetes, with peripheral vascular disease or on anticoagulation therapy. A full assessment will be taken prior to this minor procedure taking place.

The pre surgical assessment and minor procedure will take up to one hour.

• The procedure involves an injection of local anaesthetic into the skin at the base of the symptomatic toe. This will completely numb the toe.
• The portion of/or the entire nail would be gently removed, under an anaesthetic so you are pain free throughout.
• A chemical called phenol may or may not be applied to the base of the nail bed so the nail does not grow back.
• A post surgical dressing is then applied to the site.
• Afterwords you will be advised to go home, rest and elevate your leg for the remainder of the day.
• You will then be asked to return between 3-7 days post procedure from a review appointment.

  The procedure site will usually take between 4-12 weeks to completely heal. Following the procedure, it is important to regularly clean and redress the wound at home until completely healed to reduce the chance of infection.

  Approximately 2% of nail surgery procedure carried out experience nail regrowth in which are often asymptomatic. Should this occur, please contact kkpodiatry to discuss suitability for the procedure to be performed again.

Whithorne House
North Street
GU29 9DH

Tel: 01730 813231 (for Midhurst clinic appointments only)