INGROWN TOENAILS
Painful, red or tender nail edges making everyday shoes unbearable?
Ingrown toenails occur when a nail edge curves into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and potential infection. Our podiatrists provide gentle, same-day relief and permanent solutions
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Does any of this sound familiar?
Ingrown toenails most commonly affect the big toe. You may experience one or more of the following:
- Sharp, throbbing pain along one or both edges of the toenail
- Redness, swelling, and warmth around the nail border
- Extreme tenderness even under the weight of bedsheets or light socks
- Yellowish discharge, pus, or signs of localized infection
- Overgrowth of swollen, tender tissue (hypergranulation) at the nail margin
- Difficulty wearing closed-toe shoes or walking normally
Please avoid 'bathroom surgery' which can introduce deeper infection.
Our podiatrists can relieve the painful nail edge gently in a single clinic visit.
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POSSIBLE CAUSES
What may be causing ingrown toenails?
Several common factors cause nail borders to pierce the adjacent skin fold:
Curved trimming habits
Cutting toenails down at the corners or rounding the edges leaves sharp spikes that pierce skin.
Tight or narrow footwear
Shoes that press the toes together force the skin against the nail edge.
Natural nail curvature
Involuted or pincer-shaped nails have an inherited tendency to curve into the nail sulcus.
Direct trauma or sports
Stubbing a toe or repetitive micro-trauma from running or football can trigger an ingrown nail.
WHEN TO SEEK ASSESSMENT
When should you consider getting an ingrown toenail checked?
Consider arranging an assessment if:
- The nail edge is throbbing, red, or warm to the touch
- You notice discharge, pus, or overgrown tissue
- The problem keeps returning after home cutting
- You have diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced immunity
- You are having trouble wearing shoes or walking comfortably
YOUR APPOINTMENT
What happens when you come to see us?
We prioritize gentle, immediate relief in a calm, sterile clinical setting
We examine
Your podiatrist checks the nail edge, evaluates inflammation, and looks for infection.
We relieve pain
Gentle conservative trimming removes the offending nail spike immediately where appropriate.
We discuss options
If the issue is recurring, we explain minor nail surgery performed under local anaesthetic.
We protect & guide
You receive sterile dressing, aftercare instructions, and proper nail-trimming guidance.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment depends on what we find
Treatment ranges from conservative in-clinic clearing to permanent minor procedures:
Not every treatment is appropriate for every patient. Your podiatrist will discuss suitable options after assessment.
- Gentle conservative nail spike removal
- Minor nail surgery (partial nail avulsion with phenolisation)
- Infection management & antiseptic dressing
- Footwear and pressure offloading advice
- Nail curvature correction guidance
We're here for you
Tired of Living With Pain? We Can Help
STEP 1 OF 2
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OUR CLINICIANS
You'll be seen by our podiatry team
Our clinicians assess a wide range of foot, ankle and lower-limb problems and will explain your options clearly.
Matthew Francis
Clinical Director / Managing Podiatrist
Megan Kelly
General & High Risk Foot Podiatrist
Yaw Nimoh
MSK, Sports & Advanced Practice Podiatrist
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FAQ
Ingrown toenail FAQs
READY TO GET STARTED?
Ready to get your ingrown toenail sorted?
Book online at a time that suits you, or request a callback if you're unsure which appointment is right for you.