Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Gold Coast & NSW
What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, develops when the edge or corner of the nail presses into or breaks the surrounding skin. It most commonly affects the big toe and can cause pain, tenderness, redness and swelling.
Ingrown toenails may start as mild irritation but can become increasingly uncomfortable or infected if the nail continues to place pressure on the skin. Early assessment can often make conservative treatment more straightforward.
The Foot Stop provides ingrown toenail treatment at our Gold Coast podiatry clinic in Elanora and conservative care through our mobile podiatry service.
Common Symptoms
- Pain or tenderness along one or both sides of the nail
- Redness or swelling around the nail edge
- Skin growing over part of the nail
- Discomfort when wearing enclosed shoes
- Warmth, discharge or signs of infection
- A nail that repeatedly becomes ingrown
What Causes Ingrown Toenails?
- Cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners
- Tight, narrow or poorly fitting footwear
- Trauma or repeated pressure on the toe
- Naturally curved or unusually shaped nails
- Picking or tearing the nail
- Changes to nail shape or thickness
How Does a Podiatrist Treat an Ingrown Toenail?
Treatment depends on how deeply the nail is pressing into the skin, whether infection is present and whether the problem has happened before. Your podiatrist will examine the toe, discuss your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate option.
Conservative Treatment
For mild or early cases, the podiatrist may carefully remove the offending nail edge, clean the area and provide advice about dressings, nail care and footwear. Conservative care can often be provided in clinic or during a suitable home visit.
Nail Bracing
For some suitable nails, a nail correction or bracing system such as Onyfix may help guide the nail towards a healthier shape as it grows. Suitability depends on the nail and surrounding skin.
Partial Nail Avulsion
Recurring, moderate or severe ingrown toenails may require a partial nail avulsion. The painful section of nail is removed under local anaesthetic, and treatment may be applied to reduce the chance of that section growing back. Nail surgery is performed in clinic only.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
Your podiatrist will ask about your symptoms, how long the nail has been painful and whether it has happened before. They will examine the nail, surrounding skin and footwear, then explain the treatment options available.
Conservative treatment can often be completed during the first appointment. If nail surgery is recommended, the podiatrist will explain the procedure, preparation, aftercare and expected recovery before arranging a clinic appointment.
When Should You Book?
- The toe is painful, red or swollen
- There is discharge, bleeding or increasing warmth
- The nail keeps becoming ingrown
- Shoes or walking have become uncomfortable
- Home trimming has made the area worse
- You have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation
Do not dig into the nail edge or cut down the side of the nail. This can leave a sharp section behind and increase irritation or infection risk.
What Should I Bring?
Bring the enclosed shoes you wear most often and a current list of medications if relevant. Let the podiatrist know if you have diabetes, circulation concerns, reduced sensation, allergies or a history of slow healing.
Treatment at Home
Assessment and conservative ingrown toenail care may be available through our mobile podiatry service across selected Gold Coast and NSW areas. This can suit people who find travel difficult or prefer treatment at home.
Nail Surgery in Clinic
Partial nail avulsion and other nail surgery procedures are performed at The Foot Stop’s Gold Coast clinic in Elanora. Your podiatrist can assess whether surgery is appropriate for you.
Want to read more about ingrown toenails? Visit our knowledge centre.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment FAQs
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge or corner of a toenail presses into or breaks the surrounding skin. It most commonly affects the big toe and may cause pain, redness and swelling.
Common causes include cutting nails too short or rounding the corners, tight footwear, trauma to the toe, naturally curved nails and repeated pressure on the nail.
Yes. A podiatrist can assess the nail and surrounding skin, relieve the painful nail edge where appropriate and recommend conservative care or nail surgery depending on the severity and recurrence.
Many mild or early ingrown toenails can be managed conservatively. Recurring or more severe cases may require a partial nail avulsion. Your podiatrist will recommend an option after assessing the toe.
A partial nail avulsion is a minor procedure that removes the narrow section of nail causing the problem. It is performed under local anaesthetic in the clinic. A chemical may be applied to reduce the likelihood of that section growing back.
A local anaesthetic is used to numb the toe before the procedure. You may feel brief discomfort during the injection, but the procedure itself should not be painful once the toe is numb.
Recovery varies according to the procedure and individual healing. Your podiatrist will provide dressing and aftercare instructions, explain when to change the dressing and advise when you can return to normal footwear and activities.
Assessment and conservative ingrown toenail care may be available through The Foot Stop’s mobile podiatry service. Nail surgery requires a clinic appointment. Contact the team to confirm the most suitable appointment type.
Avoid digging into the nail edge or cutting down the side of the nail, as this can worsen the problem and damage the surrounding skin. A podiatrist can assess and treat the area safely.
Book an assessment if the toe is painful, red, swollen, producing discharge, repeatedly becoming ingrown or affecting your ability to wear shoes or walk comfortably. People with diabetes, reduced circulation or reduced sensation should seek professional care promptly.
Get Comfortable on Your Feet Again
Book an assessment with The Foot Stop for an individual ingrown toenail treatment plan.