Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Pain, redness or swelling around your toenail?
If the side of your toenail is painful, tender, red or swollen, you may be dealing with an ingrown toenail. This happens when part of the nail presses into or grows into the surrounding skin, often causing discomfort and irritation.
Ingrown toenails commonly affect the big toe, but they can occur on other toes as well. For some people, the pain develops slowly. For others, it can become uncomfortable quickly, especially when wearing shoes or walking.
Our experienced podiatrists can assess your toenail, identify what may be causing the problem and guide you through treatment options to help reduce pain, support healing and lower the risk of it returning.
Book an appointment today and take the first step towards more comfortable feet
Does This Sound Familiar?
You may be dealing with an ingrown toenail if you’ve noticed:
Redness or swelling around the nail edge
Pain & pressure when wearing shoes or walking
Sharp nail edges digging into the surrounding skin
Fluid, bleeding, or discharge around the toe
Recurring issues that keep returning after trimming
Not every painful toenail is caused by an ingrown toenail, which is why an accurate podiatry assessment is the best place to start.
If you notice spreading redness, increasing swelling, pus, severe pain, fever, or you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation, it is important to seek professional advice promptly.
Your Treatment Journey
Assessment
We’ll take the time to understand your symptoms, medical history, footwear, nail care routine and whether the ingrown toenail has happened before.
Diagnosis
Our podiatrists will assess the toenail, surrounding skin and any signs of inflammation or infection to identify what is causing the pain.
Treatment Plan
We’ll explain your treatment options clearly and recommend an approach based on the severity of the ingrown toenail, your comfort and your individual needs.
Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenails
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to ingrown toenail treatment. Depending on your symptoms and circumstances, treatment may include:
● Careful removal of the painful nail edge where appropriate
● Advice on footwear to reduce pressure on the nail
● Guidance on safe nail-cutting technique
● Monitoring and follow-up care
● Referral to your GP if antibiotics or further medical care are required
● Permanent correction of the problem nail edge where suitable
● Further referral if the condition is complex or not healing as expected
For mild cases, treatment may involve carefully clearing the nail edge and reducing the pressure causing the pain. For recurring or more severe ingrown toenails, your podiatrist may discuss a minor procedure called a partial nail avulsion. This involves removing the problematic section of nail under local anaesthetic.
Our goal is to recommend the most appropriate and practical solution for you, while helping reduce pain, support healing and lower the chance of the problem returning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ingrown toenails may be caused by cutting nails too short, rounding the nail edges, tight footwear, injury, curved nail shape, repeated pressure or the skin growing over the nail edge.
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Yes. If the nail edge breaks the skin or continues to irritate the area, infection can develop. Signs may include increasing redness, swelling, pus, discharge, warmth or worsening pain.
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It is best to avoid digging into the side of the nail yourself, especially if the area is painful, swollen or infected. Cutting too deeply may make the problem worse or increase the risk of infection.
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Treatment depends on the severity. Your podiatrist may carefully remove the painful nail edge, dress the toe, provide aftercare advice and discuss longer-term options if the problem keeps returning.
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A partial nail avulsion is a minor procedure where the problematic section of the toenail is removed under local anaesthetic. It may be recommended for recurring or more severe ingrown toenails.
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Antibiotics may be needed if there is an infection. Your podiatrist can assess the toe and may recommend seeing your GP if antibiotic treatment or further medical care is required.
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You can reduce the risk by trimming toenails straight across, avoiding cutting them too short, wearing shoes with enough toe room and seeking early advice if the nail starts becoming painful again.
Ready to Feel More Comfortable on Your Feet?
If an ingrown toenail is making it painful to walk, wear shoes or manage your normal routine, our team is here to help. We’ll assess what’s happening, explain your options clearly and work with you to find the most appropriate treatment plan.
Book an appointment today and let us help you take the first step towards more comfortable feet.