Ingrowing Toenail Treatment
Conservative ingrowing toenail treatment is a solution that puts your comfort first. If you’re dealing with the discomfort of an ingrowing toenail, read on to discover how a conservative approach can give you immediate relief.
For permanent solutions (surgical options) please click here.
What is an Ingrowing Toenail?
An ingrowing toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin. The edge of the toenail does not have to pierce through the skin to cause discomfort. This common condition can lead to pain, swelling, and infection if left untreated.
Causes of Ingrowing Toenails.
- Genetics dictates the shape of your nail: very curved or very wide and flat.
- Nail Cutting: cutting too short or cutting down the sides of the nail creating uneven edges.
- Picking and Pulling: toenails and the surrounding skin creates uneven sharp edges and broken skin.
- Excessive Sweating: softens the surrounding skin making penetration easier.
- Tight shoes and High Heels: squash the toes together and can cause the nail to change shape over many years.
- Certain activities and sports shoes: Soccer players and ballerinas in pointe shoes.
- Fungal infection: can make the nail thicken and/or change shape.
- Lots of Small Bashes (microtrauma): like running, where the toe hits the shoe repetitively, damages the nail, changing its shape or making it thicken.
- One Big Bash: near the toenail, like dropping something heavy on it, can change the way the nail grows.
Conservative Treatment Steps
When it comes to tackling ingrowing toenails, a conservative approach offers an effective alternative to more invasive procedures. As Podiatrists, we have very specialized tools to cut and file the edge of the affected nail with little discomfort.
- We first start with your story: how long has it been bothering and how bad is it etc.
- Once we have had a look at the nail and decided together that the conservative approach is the best option for you, we start by gently cutting the side of the nail.
- The next most important step is to file the edge of the nail we have just cut, to make sure the edge is smooth and does not poke into the surrounding skin.
- Sometimes we will put an antiseptic dressing on.
- And then we will show you some tips and tricks about how to look after that nail, prevent it happening again and what to do if it does happen again.
Benefits of Conservative Toenail Treatment
Conservative toenail treatment with a Podiatrist provides several advantages, such as:
Immediate Relief
Removing the edge or spike of nail that was pressing into the skin provides immediate relief for you to get back to life immediately!
Minimal Discomfort
Conservative methods typically involve less discomfort compared to more invasive procedures.
Quick Recovery
Patients often experience a faster recovery time with conservative treatments.
Avoiding Surgery
Not everyone is a fan of needles (required for the local anaesthetic injection for surgical options). The conservative approach can be done regularly instead of surgical options.
Preventing Future Ingrown Toenails
Taking steps to prevent future occurrences is key to long-term foot comfort:
Proper Footwear
Choose shoes that provide ample space for your toes, preventing squashing of your toes against each other, and the shoe.
Regular Nail Maintenance
Trim your toenails the way your Podiatrist has shown is best for your nails and avoid cutting them too short.
Foot Hygiene
Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent infections that may exacerbate ingrowing toenails.
OUR WHY
We help reduce pain,
optimise movement &
get you back to
doing what you love
through knowledge & empowerment.