Understanding & treating ingrowing toenails
Ingrowing toenails, or onychocryptosis, are a common and often painful condition where the edges or corners of the nail grow into the surrounding skin. This can cause redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. Left untreated, they can become more severe and impact your daily life, including your ability to walk comfortably.
At Chapeltown Foot Clinic, we understand how debilitating this condition can be, and we offer a range of treatments to help you get back on your feet pain-free.
Common Causes of Ingrowing Toenails
Understanding the causes of ingrowing toenails is the first step in preventing and treating them. Here are some of the most common factors:
1. Poor Nail Cutting Techniques
One of the most frequent causes of ingrowing toenails is improper nail cutting. Nails cut too short or with rounded edges can encourage the skin to fold over the nail, leading to ingrowth as the nail grows.
2. Wearing Inappropriate Footwear
Tight, narrow, or ill-fitting shoes, especially safety footwear required in some workplaces, can compress the toes and push the nail edges into the skin. Over time, this repeated pressure can lead to chronic ingrown toenails.
3. Nail Picking or Trauma
Habitual nail picking or minor injuries to the nail can disrupt normal nail growth, causing the nail to grow into the skin rather than over it.
4. Hereditary Factors
In some cases, the tendency to develop ingrowing toenails is inherited. If your family members have struggled with this issue, you might be more likely to experience it too.
Treatment Options at Chapeltown Foot Clinic
At Chapeltown Foot Clinic, we offer comprehensive care tailored to your needs, whether you require conservative management or more definitive surgical treatment.
Conservative Treatments
For less severe cases, we start with conservative approaches. These methods aim to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent the nail from growing into the skin.
- Proper Nail Cutting Advice: We guide you on how to cut your nails correctly to avoid ingrowth.
- Footwear Recommendations: Our team advises on suitable footwear to prevent pressure on the toes.
Nail Surgery: A Permanent Solution
For persistent or severe cases of ingrowing toenails, nail surgery may be the best option. This procedure provides a long-term solution by removing part or all of the affected nail.
- Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA): This common procedure involves removing the side of the nail that is causing the problem. Under local anesthesia, the offending part of the nail is removed, and the nail bed is treated to prevent regrowth in that area.
- Total Nail Avulsion (TNA): In cases where the entire nail is problematic, the entire nail is removed, and the nail bed is treated to prevent future nail growth.
Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia, ensuring that you are comfortable and pain-free during the treatment. Recovery is typically swift, and most patients return to normal activities within a few days.
Why Choose Chapeltown Foot Clinic?
At Chapeltown Foot Clinic, our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized and effective care. We understand the impact that foot pain and discomfort can have on your life, and we're here to help you find relief.
Whether you need advice on preventing ingrowing toenails or are considering surgical treatment, we are here to guide you through every step of your journey to better foot health.
Book Your Consultation Today
Don't let ingrowing toenails hold you back. Contact Chapeltown Foot Clinic today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards pain-free feet.
