Ingrown toenails occur when the side of a nail presses into the skin causing pain and sometimes infection. They can be caused by a range of issues, such as:
- Cutting nails incorrectly
- Poor fitting shoes: narrow toe box or shoe too small
- Nail plate itself being too wide
- Or too curved
- A nail spike
- Or other nail trauma.
How do podiatrists treat an ingrown toenail?
Depending on the type of ingrown nail you have, our specialist podiatrists can usually treat it on the day. Treatment may include:- Changing footwear
- Education on how to cut nails correctly
- Clearing an impacting nail spike
- Possible oral antibiotics (from your GP) if there is an infection present.
What is toenail surgery?
Toenail surgery (or a partial nail avulsion) may be required if the toenail is a recurring ingrown because the nail is too wide or too curved. We can administer nail surgery here at our Feet Forward Podiatry clinic in the Waikato, under a local anaesthetic so you won’t feel it. A small section of the nail is removed and will not grow back. This requires just a simple dressing and two or three follow-up appointments.To make an appointment or to discuss your ingrown toenail, please call us on 07 855 8568 or book online.