Ingrown Nails
Big toe nails are often affected by the sides of the nails growing into the skin. This can be due to the nails becoming involuted. This means that the sides of nails start to curl into the skin and do not stay flat. As the nail grows it digs into the skin as it gets close to the end of the nail. This can be uncomfortable and cutting the nail back can lead to a sharp edge or a spike remaining that continues to grow into the skin. This can lead to infection and the skin becomes swollen around the nail. If caught early the nail can easily be cut back. But if left too long then more intensive treatment is required. If you feel you may have this then please book an appointment >
Ingrowing Nail Treatment
If this is caught early enough then the nail growing into the end of the skin can easily be seen and cut back. This maybe uncomfortable as the nail is briefly pushed into the skin when cut. But we take as much precaution as possible to minimise this from happening. The nail can then be dressed and healing can happen quickly. Pain relief is often immediate.
If the nail has become deeply embedded then we will use local anaesthetic to numb the toe before either cutting the nail back ot carrying out a partial nail avulsion. This is where the whole side of the nail is taken away.
This can then be dressed and healing will happening quickly. Or if this is a recurring problem we can treat the nail bed so the side of the nail that is digging in doesn’t grow back. Healing will take a bit longer but it is a permanent solution.
We can also remove the whole nail if the nail is problematic and causing problems.
