Painful Ingrowing Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the toenail pierces through the skin, causing an open wound for infection to set in. It is VERY painful!
When left untreated ingrown toenails can lead to severe pain, infection and make it agony to wear closed in shoes. As Podiatrists we are trained in the latest techniques to treat ingrown nails and can offer great pain relief permanently.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails?
Nail with “involuted” or curled in edge prone to ingrowing
There are many reasons why ingrown toenails can occur:
- Poor technique with trimming toenails or “picking” at nails
- Sweaty feet
- Poorly fitting footwear (shoes that have insufficient depth or width)
- Previous trauma (kicking sports etc)
- Abnormal nail shape (fan shape or curled in edges)
- Obesity
- Smoking
How Can I Fix My Sore Ingrowing Toenails?
The temptation is strong to self manage ingrown toenails- we unfortunately see this a lot! While it is tempting to try and fix things yourself it can lead to nasty cuts and deep infections. If you are struggling to get relief with your ingrown nails we strongly suggest you see a Podiatrist who will use sterile techniques and can provide a gentle remedy to your sore toe.
There are a range of options to manage painful ingrown toenails. A first line treatment is conservative nail trimming where your Podiatrist will gently trim the problem nail edge to create a smooth border. Your Podiatrist may recommend an antibiotic, based on the severity of infection in the toe.
Often when the toenails are chronically infected and painful with conservative treatment options, your Podiatrist will recommend performing a nail procedure on your toe to permanently address the problem toenail!
Nail Procedures – A Permanent Fix To A Painful Problem
A nail wedge resection is a minor nail surgery procedure that permanently removes a section of
nail that is wanting to grow into the skin.
Your Podiatrist will numb the toe first, then gently remove the portion of the nail consisting of a few millimetres of the problem nail edge and use a chemical at the base to prevent nail regrowth of that edge.
The good news?!
- Off the nail has healed it simply looks slightly more narrow – it can be difficult to tell that there has been any procedure done!
- The procedure has a 90% success rate (10% associated with regrowth or infection)
- No stitches are required
- You’re back in closed in shoes 3 days after the nail procedure
- Healing time is fast, with full recovery usually within 4 weeks
- Can claim back rebate with most private health funds
- Nail Procedure
- Nail wedge resection process
Ingrown Toenails – What Actually Are They?
Podiatrist Joe explains more about how ingrown toenails occur! Watch the video below.
When seek immediate advice for a painful ingrown toenail:
- If redness is tracking along the skin away from the toe
- When pus is causing swelling on the nail edge
- When pain is unbearable
- If you have Diabetes
- If you are immune compromised (with chemotherapy for example)
- Why persist with painful ingrown toenails?
Put an end to wearing thongs due to fear of developing an ingrown nail
Put an end to leaving toenails long due to fear of getting an ingrown nail
