Ingrown toe treatment
If your toenail seems to be ingrown, the first step is to call Entire Podiatry to make an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists. The podiatrist will assess your toenails, treat them and tell you why they occur so that we can help you avoid ingrown toenails in the future.
If you cannot see a podiatrist there are a few steps that you can take to ease your ingrown toenail pain and to at least help prevent it from getting worse.
Firstly, it is strongly advised that you do not attempt to cut at the nail in order to relieve your ingrown toenail. This can result in infection, injury and very often worsen the state of the ingrown nail. A podiatrist is qualified to do this for you. Contact our friendly and qualified podiatrists at Entire Podiatry for assistance. Treatment generally involves trimming or removing the part of the nail that is growing into the skin. Our podiatrists at Entire Podiatry are highly trained in the treatment of ingrown toenails and have specific equipment to conduct this safely and effectively.
If the ingrown nail is treated early, then this process is usually completely painless and will provide immediate relief.
If the ingrown nail if left too long and continues to grow into the skin then the whole toe may become quite tender. If the toenail is too tender to touch, then the podiatrist can administer a local anaesthetic to numb the toe during treatment.
If required, our podiatrists can also trim the rest of your nails and demonstrate the correct way for you to do this.
How can I fix an ingrown toenail?
If the ingrown toenail is showing signs of infection you can begin to fight the infection at home. Your toenail may be infected if the area surrounding the toenail is red, inflamed and warm. There may also be fluid such as pus around the nail.
If an infection is present we recommend you soak your foot in a warm footbath for up to 10 minutes two to three times a day. It is best to use lukewarm water and dissolve either a capful of Betadine solution or a handful of Epsom salts. After soaking your toe for 10 minutes dry the area with a clean towel and then apply a topical antiseptic such as betadine and keep the toe covered with a dressing to keep it clean.
Avoid wearing tight shoes as the pressure against the toe can irritate and worsen the ingrown toenail. Whenever possible wear open-toed shoes and ensure the toenail is covered with a dressing or bandage to minimise infection and the risk of injury.
Some people experience relief by applying a small amount of clean material such as cotton wool down the side of the nail to separate the nail from the skin. This should not be kept in for too long and should be replaced on a daily basis.
Toenail ingrowth treatment
There are different treatment options available to manage an ingrown toenail. Typically, treatment involves the podiatrist trimming the ingrown portion of the nail away. This stops the nail digging into the skin and relieves the pain. For most people this type of ingrown toenail treatment is all that is required to manage their ingrown nail.
If the ingrown toenail returns on a regular basis then surgical removal may be required. Permanent ingrown nail surgery involves removing the nail right down to the base under a local anaesthetic and applying a chemical to neutralise the nail matrix so it does not grow back.
Some people who suffer from returning ingrown toenails wish to return to a podiatrist on a regular basis to have their nails cut in the correct way to prevent ingrown toenails and manage them early if they do begin to grow back ingrown.
Your podiatrist will discuss how to stop ingrown toenails from returning on a regular basis. They will also explain how to heal your ingrown toenail following your treatment.
A podiatrist is your foot doctor for ingrown toenails
At Entire Podiatry, our podiatrists are fully qualified and experienced in the treatment and management of all types of ingrown toenails. Entire Podiatry offer clinics across Greater Brisbane and South-East Queensland.
Podiatrists are highly trained and university-qualified professionals in their field, sometimes colloquially called ‘foot doctors’. Podiatrists know how to treat an ingrown toenail of any severity.
If you are looking for an ingrown toenail podiatrist in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Logan or the Gold Coast, then contact Entire Podiatry today to make an appointment at any of our clinic locations.
What is the cost to treat an ingrown toe?
The cost will vary depending on treatment. If no anaesthetic is required and conservative treatment to trim back the affected nail is all that is needed, then that is included in the cost of your consultation.
If however, you require anaesthetic or surgery to remove part or all of the nail, the cost does vary. Please see our standard consultation pricing and toenail surgery pricing on the Entire Podiatry Pricing page.
