Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail edge is abnormally pressing into or cutting into the flesh around the nail edge, resulting in a chronic wound, that is painful. In some cases it may become infected. As the condition becomes more persistent, there can be chronic infection and the formation of excess tissue/skin called hypergranulation tissue.

It is usually caused by an abnormally shaped nail which can be hereditary, due to an injury, or caused by poor toe nail cutting technique or pressure from poorly fitting footwear. Occasionally it can develop due to fungal nail infections. 

Often, the only way to resolve the problem is to have nail surgery to remove the offending nail edge permanently. The whole toe nail does not need to be removed in almost all cases unless the whole nail is infected.

Mr Yates has extensive experience managing this condition. It can be done safely under a local anaesthetic. Usually the wound heals within 10-14 days and patients are back to work within a few days to 2 weeks depending on the type of work you do.

Please see the information sheet ‘Surgery for Ingrown Toenails (Partial or Total Removal of Nail Bed)’ for further explanation and advice.