Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail develops when the sides of the toenail grow into the surrounding skin. If you think that your nail is ingrowing you must seek medical attention as soon as you can.

There are several possible causes of an ingrown toenail, including

• Incorrectly cut toenails (most Common)
• – Toenails should be CUT STRAIGHT ACROSS NOT AT A CURVE OR AN ANGLE
• Tight-fitting shoes, socks or tights
• Excessive sweating or poor foot hygiene
• Injury
• Nail infections
• Natural shape of the toenail

When established Ingrown toenail the home treatment options are limited and often ineffective.
Even the most attentive self-care will not always work, in these cases GP input will involve

• Treat for infection- Antibiotic Cover.
• Wedge resection- the offending nail edge is removed and its corresponding nail bed to ensure reduced recurrence.

THE PROCEEDURE

We can safely remove of soften the offending callus, using local anaesthetic and it only takes 20 minutes. The patient can walk immediately after procedure, usually pain fee the next day. Removal after care is personal responsibility but with due care recurrence rates are kept low.

If you can’t get in to the clinic to make an appointment right away, it is important to keep the area clean and dry until you can call in. This is to avoid the possibility of ingestion. The best way to keep the tow clean is to bath your foot in warm salty water as often as you can. Avoid wearing very tight shoes or socks as this will aggravate the toes. Also if possible apply clean dressing if there is any discharge present. We advise that you get into the clinic as soon as possible especially if you suffer from diabetes.