Ingrowing Toenails Treatment
An ingrowing toenail develops when the edge of the nail presses into or breaks the surrounding skin. This can cause pain, redness, swelling and, in some cases, infection.
Ingrowing toenails are particularly common in the big toe and can become increasingly uncomfortable if left untreated. At Bucks Podiatry, we assess the cause of the problem and offer treatment ranging from simple conservative care through to nail surgery for recurrent or more severe cases.
What causes an ingrowing toenail?
Ingrowing toenails can develop for a number of reasons, including:
- Cutting the nail too short or rounding the corners
- Naturally curved or involuted nails
- Tight or narrow footwear
- Trauma or repeated pressure on the toe
- Thickened or damaged nails
- Sporting activity
- Excessive sweating around the feet
- Previous nail injury
- Family tendency towards curved nails
Sometimes there is no single obvious cause.
What are the symptoms of an ingrowing toenail?
Common symptoms include:
- Pain along one or both edges of the nail
- Redness or swelling around the toe
- Tenderness when wearing shoes
- Pain when walking or exercising
- Broken or irritated skin alongside the nail
- Bleeding or discharge
- Recurrent inflammation
- Infection around the nail
Symptoms can range from mild tenderness to significant pain that makes wearing footwear difficult.
How are ingrowing toenails treated?
Treatment depends on how severe the problem is and whether it has happened before.
For mild or early-stage ingrowing toenails, your podiatrist may be able to carefully remove the section of nail that is irritating the skin and relieve the pressure.
Treatment may include:
- Careful trimming and reshaping of the nail
- Removal of the offending nail edge or spike
- Cleaning and treatment of irritated skin
- Advice on nail cutting
- Footwear advice
- Padding or protection where appropriate
- Guidance on reducing the risk of recurrence
Many patients experience relief once the pressure from the nail has been removed.
Will I need nail surgery?
Not everyone with an ingrowing toenail needs surgery.
If the problem is mild and has not happened repeatedly, conservative podiatry treatment may be enough.
However, nail surgery may be recommended if:
- The ingrowing toenail keeps returning
- The nail is severely curved
- You have repeated infections
- Conservative treatment only provides temporary relief
- The nail is persistently painful
- Both sides of the nail are affected
- The problem is interfering with walking, work or sport
Your podiatrist will discuss the options with you and explain whether surgery is likely to provide a more permanent solution.
Nail surgery for recurrent ingrowing toenails
Nail surgery is a minor procedure carried out under local anaesthetic.
In many cases, only the problematic edge of the nail needs to be removed. This is known as a partial nail avulsion.
A small amount of phenol may then be applied to the nail matrix to reduce the likelihood of that section of nail growing back.
Where necessary, the whole nail can be removed, although this is less commonly required.
Is treatment painful?
Routine treatment for an ingrowing toenail is usually quick and well tolerated.
The toe may already be tender when you arrive, but removing the section of nail that is pressing into the skin can often provide immediate relief.
If nail surgery is required, the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic so the toe is numb during treatment.
Can an infected ingrowing toenail be treated?
Yes.
If the area is inflamed or infected, your podiatrist can assess the toe, remove the source of irritation where appropriate and advise on wound care.
Occasionally, if there is a more significant infection, you may also need medical assessment or antibiotics.
If you have diabetes, reduced circulation or a condition affecting your immune system, it is particularly important to seek professional advice rather than trying to treat the nail yourself.
Should I try to cut out an ingrowing toenail myself?
We would generally advise against repeatedly digging into the side of the nail or cutting deeply down the corners.
This can leave a sharp nail spike behind, damage the surrounding skin and increase the risk of infection.
A podiatrist can safely assess the nail and remove the offending section without causing unnecessary trauma to the toe.
How can I prevent an ingrowing toenail from coming back?
Your podiatrist can advise you on reducing the risk of recurrence.
This may include:
- Cutting nails straight across rather than rounding the corners
- Avoiding cutting nails excessively short
- Wearing shoes with enough room around the toes
- Managing thickened or curved nails professionally
- Seeking treatment early if symptoms begin to return
Some nails are naturally very curved, in which case recurrent problems may still occur despite good nail care.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can an ingrowing toenail be treated?
In many cases, treatment can be carried out during your podiatry appointment following assessment.
If nail surgery is required, this may be arranged as a separate appointment.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with Bucks Podiatry without a GP referral.
Can an ingrowing toenail heal on its own?
Very mild cases may settle if pressure is removed and the nail is allowed to grow correctly.
However, once the nail edge is embedded in the skin, professional treatment is often needed to remove the source of irritation.
What happens if I leave an ingrowing toenail untreated?
The nail may become increasingly painful and the surrounding skin can become inflamed or infected.
Recurrent inflammation can also lead to excess tissue developing around the nail edge, making the problem harder to manage.
Does nail surgery permanently fix an ingrowing toenail?
Where the problematic section of nail is removed and the nail matrix is treated with phenol, the aim is to stop that part of the nail growing back.
This provides a long-term solution in most cases, although no procedure can guarantee that recurrence will never occur.
Book an appointment for an ingrowing toenail
If you have a painful, inflamed or recurring ingrowing toenail, early treatment can often prevent the problem becoming more severe.
At Bucks Podiatry, we offer both conservative ingrowing toenail treatment and nail surgery where required.
Book a podiatry appointment online or contact our team to arrange an assessment.