Private Podiatry Clinic & Home Visits
Ingrowing Toenail Management £110
£55 for each additional side
An ingrown nail is usually one that has begun cutting into the skin running alongside. The most common location is the big toe, and it's usually caused by badly cut nails, trauma or nails that tend to curve inwards. Left untreated, they can become infected and create a vicious cycle requiring antibiotics. Treated early enough, we can safely remove enough to bring immediate relief, as well as determine any factors that may cause the ingrown nail to return.
If your nail is red, swollen or there is pus you should contact your GP or 111 first, as you may need antibiotics. Once the infection clears, it will be safer and much more painless to treat.
There's quite a few types of nail problems that we see aside from the classic ingrown toenail. One of the most common is the involuted or 'horseshoe' nail (which ironically we see often with amateur riding enthusiasts). Here, the nail grips the sides in a pincer, curving the edges together and causing quite a lot of pain.
The condition is worsened by tight shoes, sweaty socks and injury to the nail or the toes. The greatest threat however, comes from using a pair of nailcutters rather than a dedicated pair of nippers to trim your toenails. The pre-curved shape means you can't accurately follow the curve of your toe, and you can easily wind up cutting out the little wedge at the top corner. Without professional correction, you can leave a spike or cause a tear in the nail which can easily become infected.
Make an appointment with your podiatrist if you're having trouble with your nails, or if you've cut them too short or they're starting to hurt.