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An ingrowing
toenail is a common condition which can be very painful
leading to infection and prolonged pain. Various
treatments can be given by a doctor or podiatrist
(chiropodist). Nail surgery is easily and effectively
performed using local anaesthetic to treat and prevent
regrowth of the affected nail. The procedure takes up to an
hour and the patient can return to work and their normal
routine the following day.
Many people suffer from ingrowing toenails at some point in their lifetime.They are most common on your big toe nails but can also occur on the smaller toes too. |
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Ingrowing
toenails occur when the nail penetrates the skin at the side
of the nail plate (sulcus). This causes a wound (or foreign
body reaction) that can become infected. In some instances
this results in extra tissue forming (hypergranulation
tissue). This tissue has a very good blood supply and can
bleed easily.
What causes ingrowing toenails? Usually there is no apparent reason why it occurs. Tight-fitting shoes may be a cause in some cases. Often, they are due to the shape of the nail plate. Some people have wide nail plates, others curved nail plates which means the nail cannot easily grow free at the sides. This makes cutting the sides of the nail very difficult and it is common in people who cut their toenails very short down the sides. If a spike of nail is left or causes a small tear in the skin, a wound is formed and infection can follow. Other possible causes are injury to the nail and swelling of the surrounding skin can, or a fungal infection of the nail. |
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Treatment Ingrowing Toenails can be treated by the podiatrist without surgery by attempting to remove any ‘spikes’ of nail and with routine nail care techniques such as packing underneath the nail, to elevate the nail and alleviate pressure on the sulcus. Ingrowing toenails that are recurring or persistent often benefit from toenail surgery. Part of the nail or the whole nail can be removed. A partial nail avulsion (PNA) involves removing the side of the nail down the affected side. A total nail avulsion (TNA) is removal of the entire nail. This procedure is only carried out when either both sides of the nail are particularly bad or when the whole nail is quite deformed. Toenail surgery is performed using local anaesthetic when the toe has gone completely numb. Then nail is and a form of acid called liquid phenol is then applied and neutralised. In most cases this prevents that part of the nail growing back. It is then dressed and managed by the podiatrist and patient over the next few weeks. The procedure takes up to an hour and is a minor operation that can be done in clinic. |
