Advanced Family & Sports Podiatry
Ingrown toenails
What are Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails occur when the edges or corners of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin, instead of over it. This condition can cause pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection and are mostly seen in the big toe but can affect any toe.
Advanced Family & Sports Podiatry
Causes Of Ingrown Toenails
Pressure on the Skin
When a toenail becomes ingrown, its edges or corners start to dig into the adjacent skin. This can create pressure on the skin, leading to discomfort and eventually pain. As the nail continues to grow, the pressure intensifies, causing soreness and tenderness around the affected area.
Skin Irritation
The constant friction between the ingrown nail and the skin can lead to irritation and inflammation. The body's natural response to this irritation is to send more blood flow to the affected area, which can cause redness, warmth, and swelling. These inflammatory responses contribute to soreness and discomfort.
Risk of Infection
The combination of pressure and skin irritation can create an entry point for bacteria to enter the skin, leading to infection. An infected ingrown toenail can cause additional pain, swelling, and even pus formation. Infections can greatly exacerbate the soreness of the affected area.
Nerve Sensitivity
The skin around the toenail contains numerous nerve endings. When a toenail becomes ingrown and begins to press against these nerves, it can trigger sensations of pain and soreness. This heightened nerve sensitivity can make the area even more uncomfortable.
Inflammatory Response
The body's immune system responds to the irritation and pressure caused by the ingrown toenail by releasing chemicals that promote inflammation. These chemicals can contribute to the soreness and discomfort experienced by a person with an ingrown toenail.
Advanced Family & Sports Podiatry
How can Advanced Podiatry help?
Assessment and Diagnosis
Our podiatrists will examine the affected toe to determine the severity of the ingrown toenail and check for any signs of infection. They will also inquire about your symptoms and medical history.
Pain Relief
If the ingrown toenail is causing pain, our podiatrists may provide temporary relief by carefully lifting the nail and relieving pressure from the area. This helps the nail grow above the skin edge, reducing the pressure on the affected area.
Trimming the Nail
In more mild cases, our podiatrists may trim the ingrown edge of the toenail carefully to relieve the pressure and prevent it from worsening. However, they will take care not to cut too much or worsen the situation.
Wound Care and Dressing
After any procedure, our podiatrists will provide instructions on how to care for the wound and apply dressings to keep it clean and promote proper healing.
Preventive Measures
To prevent future ingrown toenails, podiatrists may offer advice on proper toenail trimming techniques, appropriate footwear, and general foot care.
For a permanent solution to ingrown nails that are recurring, our highly trained podiatrists can perform a minor surgical procedure called a partial nail avulsion. This involves removing the portion of the ingrown nail that is causing the problem. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia at Advanced Family & Sports Podiatry, and the podiatrist may use chemical methods to prevent the regrowth of the ingrown portion. During this procedure, a portion of the ingrown toenail is surgically removed to provide relief and prevent further issues.
Advanced Family & Sports Podiatry
Nail Avulsion
Anesthesia
Before the procedure begins, a local anesthetic is typically administered to numb the toe. This ensures that the patient doesn't feel pain during the surgery.
Toe Preparation
The affected toe is cleaned and prepared for the procedure. The podiatrist may apply an antiseptic solution to prevent infection.
Nail Removal
The podiatrist carefully lifts the ingrown edge of the toenail and uses specialised tools to trim or remove the section of the nail that is digging into the skin. This is done in a way that maintains the natural shape of the nail while alleviating the pressure and irritation on the surrounding tissue.
Chemical Treatment (Optional)
After the nail is trimmed or removed, the podiatrist may apply a chemical solution to treat the nail matrix. This helps prevent regrowth of the ingrown portion of the nail. These methods are effective in reducing the chance of recurrence.
Wound Care
Once the ingrown nail portion is removed and any necessary treatments are applied, the podiatrist will clean the area and may place a dressing or antibiotic ointment on the wound to promote healing and prevent infection.
Recovery and Follow-up
The patient is provided with instructions for post-operative care, including how to keep the wound clean, change dressings, and manage any discomfort. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor the healing process and ensure that no complications arise.
A partial nail avulsion is a common and effective procedure for treating ingrown toenails. It aims to provide relief from pain and discomfort, prevent infection, and promote proper nail growth.
It′s important to see one of our podiatrists if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail, especially if it is causing pain or if there are signs of infection. Attempting to self-treat severe or infected ingrown toenails can lead to complications and should be avoided.