INGROWN TOENAILS

Ingrown toenails are painful. They limit exercise, work and the use of enclosed shoes. An ingrown toenail (Onychocryptosis) can be the result of trauma, involuted (curved) nails, ill-fitting footwear, poor nail care, nail picking, or poor hygiene.

The condition is often recurrent and patients generally report multiple episodes of infection. An ingrown toenail is caused by a piece of nail protruding into the side of the nail sulcus skin or nail bed. This allows a portal of entry for bacteria which often causes infection.

Treatment involves a minor procedure to remove the offending nail particle. This will provide instant relief, however sometimes this becomes a chronic problem and a local anaesthetic procedure called a Partial Nail Avulsion is required. This provides a permanent solution in 85% of cases.

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