Ingrowing Toenails

Close-up Of Bleeding Toenail Against Wall

Understanding Ingrown Toenails: Causes and Symptoms

Ingrown toenails are a common source of foot pain and discomfort. This condition develops when the edge or corner of your toenail curves and grows directly into the soft skin surrounding it, instead of growing straight out. Although the big toe is most frequently affected, it’s important to note that other toes can develop this problem too.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Several factors can contribute to the development of an ingrown toenail. Recognizing these can sometimes help prevent the issue:

Improper Toenail Trimming: Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the edges often encourages the nail corner to grow into the skin. Therefore, always aim to trim nails straight across.
Tight Footwear: Similarly, shoes that squeeze your toes together (like high heels or shoes with narrow toe boxes) can exert pressure on the nails. Consequently, this pressure may force the nail edge to grow abnormally into the skin.
Toe Injuries: Furthermore, stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on your foot can directly damage the nail or nail bed. As a result, an ingrown toenail might develop during the healing process.
Natural Nail Shape: In some cases, people are simply more prone to ingrown toenails due to the natural curve or thickness of their nails making them more likely to dig into the skin.
Genetics: Additionally, a family history of ingrown toenails can unfortunately increase your personal risk of developing them.
Poor Foot Hygiene: Finally, neglecting to keep your feet clean and dry can create an environment where bacteria thrive. While this doesn’t directly cause the ingrown nail, it certainly increases the likelihood of infection if the skin is broken.

Recognising the Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail

Recognising the signs early is key to seeking timely treatment and preventing complications like infection. Common symptoms usually progress and include:

Pain: Typically, pain along the edge of the nail is the first and most noticeable symptom you’ll feel, especially when pressure is applied.
Redness and Swelling: Soon after, you’ll likely notice the skin around the ingrown nail becoming inflamed, appearing red, and starting to swell.
Tenderness: Consequently, the affected area often feels very sensitive or painful even to light touch.
Signs of Infection (Pus or Discharge): In more severe cases, particularly if bacteria enter the broken skin, an infection may develop. At this point, you might see yellowish pus, experience increased swelling and redness, or notice a foul-smelling discharge.

Price List of Treatments

New patient appointment/Assessment (When possible including a temporary procedure)
£125
Nail Surgery (1 toe)
£360
Nail Surgery 2 toes
£410

If you would like further information. Please call 020 8962 0635

Or contact us via email form below

Clinical Management/Treatments

Treating Ingrown Toenails: Options at Evolution Podiatry

We offer different approaches to treat ingrown toenails, depending on the severity and whether it’s a recurring problem. Here are two common procedures:

1. Conservative Nail Edge Removal (Wedge Resection)
- What it is: For less severe or first-time ingrown toenails, this simple procedure is often a good initial treatment option.
- How it works:
  - First, your podiatrist administers a local anaesthetic to completely numb the affected toe, ensuring your comfort.
  - Next, they carefully remove only the small wedge or spike of the nail (‘the offending side’) that is digging into the surrounding skin.
  - Finally, they typically dress the area, sometimes packing the nail fold gently to help it heal correctly.
- Suitability: This approach can provide immediate relief and is often effective as a first-line treatment.
2. Nail Surgery: Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) with Matrix Phenolisation
- What it is: For recurrent, persistent, or more severe ingrown toenails, we often recommend this minor surgical procedure for a more permanent solution.
- How it works: This procedure is also performed comfortably under local anaesthesia.
  1. Numbing the Toe: Initially, the podiatrist ensures your toe is fully numb using local anaesthetic.
  2. Removing the Nail Edge: They then remove a larger section (wedge) of the toenail from the problematic side (or sometimes both sides).
  3. Preventing Regrowth (Phenolisation): Crucially, after removing the nail portion, the podiatrist applies a chemical called phenol to the nail matrix. This is the specific area where that part of the nail grows from. Applying phenol effectively stops that edge from regrowing, significantly reducing the likelihood of the ingrown toenail returning.
- Suitability: Because it addresses the root cause of the regrowth, PNA with phenolisation is generally considered a highly effective, long-term solution for preventing recurrent ingrown toenails.
- Further Information: For comprehensive details about this procedure, including preparation and aftercare, please see our dedicated Nail Surgery Guide.

Ingrowing Toenails