Ingrown Toenail Treatment at Feet First Podiatry Clinic
Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful and often worsen without proper treatment. Whether caused by footwear, nail shape or injury, our podiatrists provide immediate relief and long-term solutions â including nail surgery when required.
Why Patients Choose Us
- Fast, comfortable treatment
- Expert management of infections and inflammation
- Precise nail-edge removal for instant relief
- Permanent solutions available through nail surgery
- Highly experienced podiatrists
- Safe care for adults, teenagers and people with diabetes
What We Treat
We help with:
- Painful ingrown nail edges
- Redness, swelling or tenderness
- Infected toenails
- Nail spikes/corners growing into the skin
- Chronic or recurrent ingrown toenails
- Pain from tight footwear or sports activity
Common in teenagers, active individuals, those with curved nail shapes and anyone who trims nails too short or round.
Causes and Diagnosis
Ingrown nails can develop due to:
- Nail shape or curvature
- Incorrect nail cutting
- Tight shoes or sports boots
- Trauma (e.g., stubbing a toe)
- Sweaty skin softening the nail fold
- Fungal nail thickening
During your appointment we assess:
- Severity of the ingrown edge
- Presence of infection or pus
- Nail shape and surrounding skin
- Whether conservative treatment or surgery is best
How We Treat Ingrown Toenails
Conservative Treatment (Immediate Relief)
- Gentle removal of the offending nail edge
- Cleaning of the nail fold
- Antiseptic dressing
- Advice to prevent recurrence
This often gives instant pain relief.
Nail Surgery (Permanent Solution)
For recurring or severe cases, we offer a minor procedure under local anaesthetic:
- Only the problematic side of the nail is removed
- The root is treated to prevent regrowth
- Toe remains numb for several hours
- Minimal downtime
- High long-term success rate
This is ideal for chronic or painful recurring ingrown nails.
Infection Management
If infection is present:
- Thorough cleaning of the area
- Dressing to reduce pressure and swelling
- Antibiotics if clinically required
Nail & Footwear Advice
We guide you on:
- Correct nail trimming
- Best footwear for long-term comfort
- How to avoid recurrence
What to Expect
- Assessment of your nail and symptoms
- Explanation of treatment options
- Immediate pain-relief treatment (same day in most cases)
- If suitable, discussion of nail surgery as a permanent fix
- Aftercare guidance and follow-up if required
Most patients leave feeling dramatically more comfortable.
When to Seek Help
Book an appointment if:
- Your toenail is painful to touch
- The skin is red, swollen or leaking fluid
- You suspect infection
- You struggle to walk comfortably
- The problem keeps coming back
- Youâre unsure whether you need surgery
- You have diabetes and notice any nail pain or redness
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ingrown toenail treatment hurt?
Conservative treatment is usually very comfortable. Nail surgery is performed under local anaesthetic.
How do I know if itâs infected?
Signs include redness, swelling, heat, pus or sharp pain. We assess and treat this safely.
Will the nail grow back after surgery?
Only the treated side of the nail is prevented from regrowing.
Can I walk after nail surgery?
Yes â but you should rest the foot and wear open or loose footwear for a few days.
Do teenagers get ingrown toenails?
Yes â curved nails, sports activities and tight footwear make them common in teens.