Ingrown toenails surgery

An ingrown toenail, which is also known as onychocryptosis, is a common complaint that we treat in clinic on a daily basis. 

This painful condition happens when the toenail grows down into the skin. It most commonly affects the big toe, with the corner of the nail growing into the nail bed although the lesser toes might also be affected. In most cases, it occurs due to trauma, tight fitting footwear or improper trimming of the nails.

People can often treat ingrown toenails at home by soaking the toe in warm water and keeping the area clean to help it heal on its own.

However, if there are signs of infection, a person should see a podiatrist rather than trying to treat the nail at home.  

Ingrown toenails irritate the skin and as a result, they can make it easy for bacteria and other microbes to get in, which increases the risk of infection. Treating an ingrown toenail quickly reduces this risk. Some signs of infection include:

• swelling
• pus
• redness
• extreme pain
• a fever

If the toenail is very swollen or inflamed, or it does not get better after a few days, a doctor may diagnose an infection and prescribe antibiotics. They might also prescribeTrusted Source a special splint to prevent the toenail from growing deeper into the skin. If the toe still does not heal, a doctor may recommend surgery