Surgical and Non-Surgical Management For Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can cause pain and discomfort and if the problem is not dealt with as soon as possible, it can lead to acute complications, such as infections. That is why we take ingrown toenail treatment and management very seriously.
At CBR Podiatry, our podiatrist, Nick Cotton, has a special interest and is experienced in ingrown toenail treatment and removal.
Depending on the status of your condition, we will provide you with the most suitable options, which may include non-surgical management or ingrown toenail surgery at our clinic. We support patients in Belconnen, Dickson, Civic and Canberra-wide from our centrally located foot care clinic in O’Connor, inner North Canberra.
What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
The medical name for an ingrown toenail is onychocryptosis. It happens when the nail penetrates the skin to the side of the nail. This area is known as the sulcus. The affected skin can appear red and inflamed and discharge may develop. Sometimes the nail can look completely normal. Ingrown toenails typically affect the big toe and can happen at any age.
Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail
The symptoms of an ingrown toenail can develop gradually or quickly. They rarely improve without treatment.
Common symptoms of an ingrown toenail may include:
- Surrounding skin that is tender to touch
- Ongoing pain, especially when wearing shoes or socks
- Redness
- Swelling
- Hard skin.
If an ingrown toenail becomes infected, added symptoms may occur, including:
- An open wound
- Warmth
- Discharge, pus, or bleeding
- Throbbing at the site
- Fever.
What Causes Ingrown Nails?
There are many potential causes of ingrown toenails, including:
- Poor nail-cutting technique
- Tight-fitting shoes
- Sweaty feet
- The shape of your nails (some people have curved nails)
- The thickness of your nails
- Debris or corns down the side of your nails (the sulcus)
- An injury to the toe (dropping something on the toe or banging the toe)
- Pressure from adjacent toes
- Foot function, which may increase the pressure on the sides of your nails.
Treatment Options at Our Ingrown Toenail Clinic
If you have the signs of an ingrown toenail, it can be advantageous to seek professional guidance promptly. This may reduce the risk of complications occurring. Our podiatrist is experienced in treating ingrown toenails and can support you through the process of healing and recovering from the issue. There are several options when it comes to managing an ingrown toenail. Please make an appointment with our experienced principal podiatrist, who will carry out a thorough assessment of the area and discuss with you your symptoms and when they developed. Nick will then determine the appropriate next steps and provide you with a personalised treatment plan.
Treatment options can include non-surgical management and minor surgical procedures. These may include:
Non-Surgical Ingrown Toenail Management
At CBR Podiatry, we are often able to manage ingrown toenails conservatively. This depends on whether:
- The nail has a curved shape (otherwise known as an involution).
- There is a corn present.
- There is debris or hard skin down the side of the nail.
We manage ingrown toenails non-surgically by using specialised instruments to trim the nail edge and remove rough edges and the nail’s ingrown spike. If treatment is not provided and the problem nail is not removed from the skin, the pain will likely increase and infection may take hold.
Your podiatrist can also provide ingrown toenail preventative care. This can include nail trimming and hygiene advice and guidance regarding footwear and pressure-relieving devices. In addition, we may work with you to improve foot function if that could be contributing to the pressure at the sides of the nails. This may involve gait analysis, biomechanics assessment, or orthotic therapy.
Ingrown Nail Surgery in Our North Canberra Podiatry Clinic
At CBR Podiatry, your wellbeing is our number one priority. Sometimes, non-surgical management is not suitable for the condition of the toe and nail.
We provide toenail surgical service for patients who require a different approach for ingrown toenails. Our highly trained podiatrist, Nick Cotton, has over 12 years of experience in treating feet and lower limb conditions, including nail surgery. He strives to make your experience as comfortable as possible. In fact, most patients only feel a slight sting when local anaesthetic is applied.
Once the anaesthetic is working, Nick will painlessly remove the offending nail edge. During the procedure, liquefied phenol is applied to the nail root at the very edge of the nail to prevent the painful nail edge from regrowing. Evidence has shown that this solution prevents the recurrence of ingrown nails in 92-98% of cases. This procedure aims to leave a normal-looking nail while only removing a small section of the nail from the edge.
Your podiatrist will provide you with a dressing pack following the procedure and thorough instructions for self-care between your redressing appointments. After the ingrown toenail removal procedure, you can go straight home.
Visit CBR Podiatry For Comprehensive Care
You might be tempted to overlook an ingrown toenail and hope it heals on its own. Unfortunately, this is unlikely. Doing so also comes with the risk of severe complications that may have a significant impact on your overall health and functionality. When these more severe issues develop, they also often take a long time to heal.
If you are experiencing pain, redness, or swelling at the edge of your toenails, please book an ingrown toenail treatment appointment today.
No Referral Needed
