INGROWN TOENAILS

Ingrown toenails are a very common condition that can affect older as well as younger people. They are usually characterised by a corner or sharp piece edge of nail - usually on either side of the big toe - pierces and 'grows into' the soft flesh on the side of the toe.

Often, as this occurs, the skin around this area will become painful and tender to touch, and can appear red and angry. If this progresses, the site can become infected, in which case you wound notice swelling, a more obvious redness in the area and possibly pus or blood around the side of the nail.

There isn't any one single reason anyone gets ingrown toenails. Rather any conditions that cause a sharp nail edge to push against and then into the skin will do it.

That could be the shape of your nail, making it hard to get to when you're cutting it, the way you cut your nail, a tight shoe or even having someone step on your foot on the footy field.  

Generally speaking, ingrown nails can be managed either conservatively (cutting the section of nail in a certain way that prevents it from becoming an issue) or surgically - a more permanent solution where the section of nail is removed and prevented from growing back. We do this via a procedure called  'Partial Nail Avulsion'.  

Generally, if we are managing your ingrown toenail conservatively, yes. But that doesn't mean that it will be painful. It just means that we have to keep seeing you for 'maintenance' every few months (usually) before it becomes a problem. 

If, after we assess your toe, or the effectiveness of the conservative treatment plan, we decide that surgical removal of the ingrown nail is a better long term option (see below), then no - it shouldn't come back.  

If we decide together that surgical management of your ingrown toenail is the best solution, we can usually perform this procedure under local anaesthetic in the clinic. In very complex cases, or if you have certain conditions in your medical history that make surgery a little more tricky, we will usually refer you to our consulting Podiatric Surgeon who will be better equipped to perform your surgery in their rooms or affiliated hospital.