Ingrown toenail
What is an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails occur when a nail spike pierces the skin. They can happen to anyone and can be by inaccurate nail cutting techniques, trauma or hereditary curved nails. If the skin gets pierced by the nail it can allow bacteria to enter causing an infection.
An ingrown toenail is usually very painful and doesn't resolve with time unless treated by a podiatrist removing the nail spike.
Signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail:
- Pain with or without pressure
- Redness
- Heat/warm
- swelling
- Puss / exudate
- Treatment options: Our highly trained podiatrists will use clean and sterilised instruments to remove the nail spike causing the pain. You will be educated on how to manage at home until it's fully healed. If there is an infection present you may be referred to your doctor for antibiotics. You will be educated on how to prevent this from recurring. If needed the podiatrist may suggest performing a nail surgery in the future.