Home Available TreatmentsIngrown Toe Nail Treatment & Surgery

Ingrown Toe Nail Treatment & Surgery

What is an ingrowing toenail?

An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of your nail grows into the soft skin of your toe. This can feel like a splinter and can be quite painful, often causing redness, swelling, or even infection. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toe, but can happen on any toe.

What causes it?

  • Cutting your toenails too short or at an angle
  • Wearing tight shoes, socks, or hosiery
  • Sweaty feet
  • Naturally curved or brittle toenails
  • Picking or tearing at your toenails
  • Certain medications (e.g., acne medication, isotretinoin)
  • Foot injuries

Who gets it?

Active, sporty people are particularly prone, because they sweat more. Younger people are more likely to get it (as they pick their nails more, compared to older people who may not be able to reach their toes!).

How do I know I have it?

The main symptom is pain, followed by redness and swelling around the nail. Sometimes, there might be pus or drainage. Ingrown toenails can feel similar to corns or calluses, so if you’re unsure, it’s always best to see a podiatrist.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

  • Self-care: For mild cases, soaking your foot in warm, salty water and applying a clean bandage can help.
  • Podiatrist visit: If your ingrown toenail is severe or infected, a podiatrist can provide safe and effective treatment.
  • Surgery: For recurring ingrown toenails, a minor surgical procedure (PNA) carried out by a Podiatrist might be recommended to permanently fix the problem.

How can I prevent ingrown nails?

  • Cut your nails correctly: Straight across and slightly longer than the tip of your toe.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and socks: Choose breathable materials and avoid tight-fitting styles.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry: This helps prevent infections.

Surgery for Ingrown Toenails – Partial Nail Ablation (PNA)

Michael Abrahams performs an operation to remove an ingrown toenail for Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies program and gives you an idea of what can be done to eradicate these problems permanently. Skip forward a minute if you want to get straight to the procedural information!

If the nails are excessively thickened and damaged the entire nail can be removed to relieve the pressure from shoes.

Our Commitment to Your Comfort and Care when Nail Surgery (Avulsion) is needed.

  • Personalised approach: We take the time to explain your options and help you choose the best treatment for your needs.
  • Experience matters: We understand how to make the procedure as comfortable as possible, even for children and those with anxiety. We have performed many hundreds of this procedure.
  • Transparent pricing: Our fees cover your surgery and all follow-up care, so you know the costs upfront.

What to Expect During Ingrown Toenail Surgery

  1. Numbing the area: You’ll receive a local anaesthetic injection so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
  2. Removing the problem: The podiatrist will carefully remove the ingrown portion of your nail.
  3. Preventing regrowth: A special solution is applied to stop that part of the nail from growing back.
  4. After the procedure: A bandage will be applied, and you’ll be able to walk normally (but avoid driving while your toe is numb). Bring comfortable, loose-fitting shoes to wear.
  5. Recovery: Take it easy on your feet for the first week. Time off work or school usually isn’t needed.

Is it painful afterwards?

Most people are pleasantly surprised at how little discomfort they feel once the ingrown nail is gone. We recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol while your toe is still numb, and for a day or two after if needed.

Dressing Changes and Follow-up

  • We’ll see you for brief follow-up appointments to check your progress. Usually within the first week and again a week later.
  • You’ll need to change the dressing daily. We’ll show you how and recommend soaking your toe in warm salt water.
  • Some redness and discharge are normal during healing, which usually takes a few weeks.

Getting Started

  • Consultation: Usually, you’ll have a consultation before surgery (you may have already had one). If you have a referral letter or think you might need surgery, let’s schedule a consultation, an email consultation or telehealth appointment if you wish to come straight in.
  • Not all ingrown nails need surgery, cutting them effectively and packing the sides can be very successful. Sometimes the ingrown nail is caused by trauma or poor nail cutting and the nail can recover when treated early.
  • Pre-surgery questions: We encourage you to ask! You can email us a picture of your toe for a quick assessment.
  • Health considerations: We’ll ask about your overall health and any medications you take. If you take steroids, blood thinners or have a weakened immune system please ensure we know at the outset.
  • Nail Surgery is usually undertaken when the nail is extremely painful, inflamed and swollen or the nail very curved, wide or embedded. When regular cutting and trimming fails it provides a permanent solution.

Costs & Booking

  • New Patient Consultation (Discuss Options and provide initial non-surgical treatment)- £60 – This is essential if you have a mild ingrown toenail or a new problem.
  • Book Surgery (One Toenail) – £330
  • Book Surgery (Both Big Toenails) – £430
  • Book a Telehealth Consultation – £50
  • Email Us with Referral/Pictures – If you have been told you need surgery then we can take a brief look and can advise if we are happy for you to come in without an initial consultation.
  • If you have a referral we are normally able to see you without an initial appointment. A new patient form would need to be completed in advance and the deposit/minimum charge paid (£90) and the referral sent to us..
  • If you have insurance the procedure code is typically S7010. You are ultimately responsible for the fees and need to have the correct authorisation code. The deposit would still need to be paid when booking the appointment.

Not sure or have questions or want to book a consultation? Contact our practice manager 01923856235. If it’s urgent, we’ll do our best to fit you in quickly.

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