Ingrown Toenail Surgery

What is an ingrowing toenail?
An ingrown toenail develops when the sides of the toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The big toe is often affected, either on one or both sides. The nail curls and pierces the skin, which becomes red, swollen and tender.

Symptoms include:
• Pain if pressure is placed on the toe
• Inflammation of the skin at the end of the toe
• A build-up of fluid (oedema) in the area surrounding the toe
• An overgrowth of skin around the affected toe (hypertrophy)
• Bleeding
• White or yellow pus coming from the affected area

When to see your Podiatrist
See your podiatrist as soon as possible, if your ingrown toenail is badly inflamed, bleeding or has pus coming from it as it may be infected.
It's also important to seek medical advice if you have diabetes and an ingrown toenail. Having diabetes could affect how your toenail heals and or lead to further complications.

What causes ingrown toenails?
A number of things can cause an ingrown toenail to develop, including:
• Badly cut toenails – cutting your toenails too short, or cutting the edges, will encourage the skin to fold over your nail and the nail to grow into the skin.
• Wearing tight-fitting shoes, socks or tights – this places pressure on the skin around your toenail; the skin may be pierced if it's pressed on to your toenail.
• Sweaty feet – if the skin around your toenails is soft, it's easier for your nail to pierce it and embed itself within it.
• Injury – for example, stubbing your toe can sometimes cause an ingrown toenail to develop
• Natural shape of the nail – the sides of curved or fan-shaped toenails are more likely to press into the skin surrounding the nail.
• A fungal nail infection can cause your toenail to thicken or widen.

• Surgery may be recommended if your toenail doesn't improve. Depending on the
severity of your symptoms, this may involve removing part or your entire toenail.
Surgery

Partial nail avulsion (removal)
Partial nail avulsion removes part of your toenail and is the most commonly used operation for treating ingrown toenails. It's about 98% effective.
Usually, a local anaesthetic is used to numb your toe and the edges of your toenail are cut away. A chemical called phenol is applied to the affected area to prevent the nail growing back and becoming ingrown in the future.
we can give you a signed order for a course of antibiotics if your nail is infected.

Total nail avulsion
Total nail avulsion completely removes your toenail. This may be necessary if your nail is thick and pressing into the skin surrounding your toe. After you toenail has been removed, you’ll have an indentation where your nail used to be. However, it's perfectly safe for you not to have a toenail.
After surgery

After toenail surgery, your toe will be wrapped in a sterile bandage. This will help stem any bleeding and prevent infection. Rest your foot and keep it raised for one to two days after the operation.
To help reduce the pain, you may need to take a painkiller, such as paracetamol, and wear soft or open-toed shoes for the first few days after surgery.

your surgery package includes

toenail surgery
complete dressing pack ( everything you will need to Dress your toes at home including effigerm antibacterial wound spray )
2 x follow up redressing appointments

everything you need to resolve those ingrowing toenails

how much does it cost ?

One Toe £395
Two Toes £545
Multiple toes - price on application