Ingrowing toenails are the result of the edge of the toenail cutting into the surrounding flesh. Often these nails are very curved on the edges.
If these curly toenails are cut down the side of the nail or the nail is injured, a sharp spike or jagged edges can result. Often, this causes infection and “proud flesh”. Sometimes wearing shoes, which press on the nail or squeeze the toes together can make these toenails worse.
Some people will not get infected ingrowing toenails, but instead, their body protects itself by forming a corn or callus around or under the nail.
Podiatrists at Foot Life treat ingrowing toenails by painlessly by removing the spike of nail or jagged edges. If a corn or callus is present, this is also removed. This treatment is very gentle and an anaesthetic injection is not used.
About half of these problem nails will be much better after one or two treatments. Maintenance care every 1 to 12 months after this is needed to keep the edge of the nail smooth and free of corns or callus.
Nail Wedge Resections
If the ingrowing toenail does not improve quickly or a more permanent solution is required, podiatrists at Foot Life can do a simple procedure called a “nail wedge resection” which is a permanent correction of the problem performed under local anaesthetic. After the edge of the toenail is removed, a special solution is applied to the nail root so that the ingrowing toenail will not regrow. This solution also deadens the nerve ends, so you will have no pain, even after the anaesthetic wears off.
Podiatrists worldwide do not recommend other methods where the nail root is surgically removed and stitches are used to close the wound. Podiatrists also do not recommend the removal the whole toenail, unless it is absolutely necessary. Because only the edge of the toenail is the problem, the whole toenail should not usually be removed.
Ingrowing Toenails
Ingrowing toenails are the result of the edge of the toenail cutting into the surrounding flesh. Often these nails are very curved on the edges.
If these curly toenails are cut down the side of the nail or the nail is injured, a sharp spike or jagged edges can result. Often, this causes infection and “proud flesh”. Sometimes wearing shoes, which press on the nail or squeeze the toes together can make these toenails worse.
Some people will not get infected ingrowing toenails, but instead, their body protects itself by forming a corn or callus around or under the nail.
Podiatrists at Foot Life treat ingrowing toenails by painlessly by removing the spike of nail or jagged edges. If a corn or callus is present, this is also removed. This treatment is very gentle and an anaesthetic injection is not used.
About half of these problem nails will be much better after one or two treatments. Maintenance care every 1 to 12 months after this is needed to keep the edge of the nail smooth and free of corns or callus.
Nail Wedge Resections
If the ingrowing toenail does not improve quickly or a more permanent solution is required, podiatrists at Foot Life can do a simple procedure called a “nail wedge resection” which is a permanent correction of the problem performed under local anaesthetic. After the edge of the toenail is removed, a special solution is applied to the nail root so that the ingrowing toenail will not regrow. This solution also deadens the nerve ends, so you will have no pain, even after the anaesthetic wears off.
Podiatrists worldwide do not recommend other methods where the nail root is surgically removed and stitches are used to close the wound. Podiatrists also do not recommend the removal the whole toenail, unless it is absolutely necessary. Because only the edge of the toenail is the problem, the whole toenail should not usually be removed.