01509 273734
Located in Loughborough, Leicester, Melton Mowbray, Ibstock & Nuneaton
Ingrown Nails
Watch our video for more information on some of the treatment options we offer
Let your ingrowing toenail be our problem, not yours.
Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. The result is pain, inflamed skin, swelling and, sometimes, an infection. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toe.
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Here at Same Day Podiatry, we can take steps to relieve your discomfort and help you avoid complications of ingrown toenails.
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If you have diabetes, are immunosuppressed or have any condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet, you are at greater risk of complications from ingrowing toenails and should get them treated immediately.
Conservative Resection (non-surgical)
Conservative resection is a quick, non-surgical option for treating acute painful ingrowing toenails. When an ingrowing toe nail is caught early, it may be possible to cut back the ingrowing section using specialist equipment. The procedure is usually conducted under local anaesthetic, so it is mostly painless. You may or may not need a dressing. Our clinicians have mastered the technique of conservative resection following years of treating hundreds of patients with ingrowing toenails.
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After this treatment, you can generally walk and resume normal activities immediately. There is a greater risk of recurrence with conservative treatment compared to surgery. This is because the complete nail surgery procedure uses a particular chemical to stop the ingrowing section from growing again.
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Sometimes, conservative treatments are not possible if the ingrowing nail is severe, badly infected or particularly deformed. When conservative treatment is not possible, nail surgery will be required.
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Partial Nail Avulsion (Surgery)
A partial nail avulsion (PNA) is a relatively minor surgical procedure to completely remove a side portion of the nail only. A specialist chemical is then used called phenol to stop that portion only from ever growing back again (in 96% of cases). A PNA can be done on one side or both sides of the toenail if needed.
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All nail surgery is conducted under local anaesthetic to numb your toe so you will not feel any pain. A tight band is applied around your toe during surgery to prevent any bleeding. Healing takes on average 6-8 weeks, although you will be able to resume normal activities within a couple of days after surgery.
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*Image shows postoperative procedure appearance. There will not be a gap there when the toe has healed*
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Total Nail Avulsion (Surgery)
Unlike a Partial Nail Avulsion, a Total Nail Avulsion involves the removal of the entire toenail. Your toe is first numbed using local anaesthetic and a tight band is applied around your toe to prevent bleeding during surgery. After removal of the toenail, a chemical called phenol is then applied to prevent the nail from ever growing back again (in 96% of cases).
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Healing may be slightly longer with a Total Nail Avulsion compared to a Partial Nail Avulsion (average between 6-12 weeks).
Nail Surgery FAQ
Will it be painful afterwards?
Maybe slightly. Most patients do just fine with over the counter paracetamol and ibuprofen, although we could prescribe something stronger if absolutely necessary.
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Do I need time off work/School?
It is advised to be off for at least 48 hours, although some patients chose to go back to work/school the following day.
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How long does the anaesthetic last?
About 3 to 4 hours.
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Are there any complications?
With any surgical procedure there are always some risks. Typically, nail surgery is a low-risk procedure. As with all surgeries, there is a risk of infection after the procedure (we can prescribe you antibiotics if necessary). There is a 4% risk that the ingrowing section may grow back again. In exceptional circumstances, there is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction to local anaesthetic known as anaphylaxis. We have adrenaline on hand in the very unlikely event this was to occur. Patients with some medical conditions may be at greater risk of complications. Call us for more advice.
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Will I need to wear a dressing?
Yes, the first dressing will be bulky, but after three days the dressing will be much smaller.
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What else do I need to do/know?
You can eat and drink as normal on the day. You will need to salt water bath your toe every day for the first 2 weeks.
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Redressing advice following surgery
After surgery, you need to keep the original dressing on for three days. Following this, you need to change it daily with salt water bathing for the first two weeks. After two weeks, dressing the toe every other day with salt water bathing should suffice.
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This is how to change the dressing:
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1. Boil the kettle to sterile the water
2. Put a tablespoon full of salt into a clean bowl
3. Wait for the water to go lukewarm and pour it into the clean bowl with the salt.
5. Bathe the toe in the salt water for 5 minutes
6. Let the toe air dry for 5 minutes.
7. Apply a small sterile dry dressing.
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What to do if there is bleeding?
This is normal. Excessive bleeding would be unusual after the first few hours after the operation. If there is some bleeding coming the dressing, apply some pressure and elevate the foot. Only change the dressing if it becomes absolutely saturated in blood. If it is just a patch, apply another dressing over the top of it.
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What are the signs of infection?
Some redness and discharge is normal. Be concerned about infection if the toe becomes increasingly hot, red and swollen, if there is any foul smell or yellow or green discharge. We can issue you a prescription for antibiotics if needed.